Facile ultrasonic synthesized NH2-carbon quantum dots for ultrasensitive Co2+ ion detection and cell imaging

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2019-12, Vol.205, p.120121-120121, Article 120121
• Main Authors: Wu, Yiyang, Liu, Youdi, Yin, Jingya, Li, Haitao, Huang, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) cobalt sensor nucleic acid sensing
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120121

The amine decorated carbon quantum dots (NH2-CQDs) were synthesized through ultrasonic method from graphite rods derived CQDs and ammonia hydroxide and utilized as the sensing probes for cobalt (II) ions and nucleic acids. The sensing technique was investigated to be the fluorescence quenching effect, which demonstrated linear relationship between cobalt (II) ions concentration and the emission intensity deviation ratio in the concentration range of 50 nM to 40 μM with the detection limit of 12 nM. In brief, this sensitive and selective detection method was confirmed to demonstrate high potential in cobalt (II) ions detection in real samples and nucleic acid sensing in biological cells. [Display omitted] •Amine decorated carbon quantum dots synthesized by ultrasonic method from graphite rods and ammonia hydroxide.•Cobalt sensing photoluminescence emission linear range of 50 nM~40 μM with the detection limit as 12 nM.•Real solution samples (4 mM~0.64 mM) tested with efficient process and visible light emission under UV light excitation.•HeLa cells investigated for nucleolus probes application with proved result for combination of NH2-CQDs and nucleic acid.