Construction of single fluorophore ratiometric pH sensors using dual-emission Mn2+-doped quantum dots

We present a novel ratiometric pH sensor design using water-soluble, dual-emission, Mn2+-doped quantum dots (Qdots) decorated with D-penicillamine (DPA-MnQdots). In contrast to more commonly used ratiometric pH sensors that rely on the coupling of two fluorophores, our design uses only a single emit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biosensors & bioelectronics 2016-10, Vol.84, p.133-140
Main Authors: Pratiwi, Feby Wijaya, Hsia, Chih-Hao, Kuo, Chiung Wen, Yang, Shun-Min, Hwu, Yeu-Kuang, Chen, Peilin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biosensors
Chemical compounds
D-penicillamine
Emission
Emitters
Fluorescence
Intracellular pH
Mn2+ quantum dots
Quantum dots
Ratiometric sensing
Sensors
Single fluorophore
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Summary:We present a novel ratiometric pH sensor design using water-soluble, dual-emission, Mn2+-doped quantum dots (Qdots) decorated with D-penicillamine (DPA-MnQdots). In contrast to more commonly used ratiometric pH sensors that rely on the coupling of two fluorophores, our design uses only a single emitter, which simplifies ratiometric sensing and broadens the applications of the sensor. Our single-emitter DPA-MnQdots exhibit two emission bands, at 510nm (green) and 610nm (red), which are, respectively, attributable to exciton recombination and emission of the Mn2+ dopants. The emission intensity ratio (I510/I610) of the DPA-MnQdots depends linearly on surrounding pH values within physiological conditions (from pH 4.5 to 8.5). Moreover, the biocompatible DPA-MnQdots were used for long-term monitoring of local pH values in HeLa cells. •We have synthesized a new type of ratiometric pH sensor using single QDs.•Mn2+-doped QDs conjugated with DPA can be used as ratiometric pH sensors.•Mn2+-doped QDs features good sensing capability at pH values of 4.5–8.5.
ISSN:0956-5663
1873-4235
DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2016.01.079