N,Zn-Doped Fluorescent Sensor Based on Carbon Dots for the Subnanomolar Detection of Soluble Cr(VI) Ions

Enoch Kwasi Adotey, Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh, Philip K. Hopke, Mannix P. Balanay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The development of a fluorescent sensor has attracted much attention for the detection of various toxic pollutants in the environment. In this work, fluorescent carbon dots (N,Zn-CDs) doped with nitrogen and zinc were synthesized using citric acid monohydrate and 4-pyridinecarboxyaldehyde as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The synthesized N,Zn-CDs served as an “off” fluorescence detector for the rapid and sensitive detection of hexavalent chromium ions (Cr(VI)). The zinc metal integrated into the heteroatomic fluorescent carbon dot played a functional role by creating a coordination site for the hydrogen ions that were displaced after the addition of Cr to the solution matrix. The stepwise addition of Cr(VI) effectively quenched the fluorescence intensity of the N,Zn-CDs, and this phenomenon was attributed to the internal filter effect. A low detection limit of 0.47 nmol/L for Cr(VI) was achieved in the fluorescence experiments. Real water samples were used to evaluate the practical application of N,Zn-CDs for the quantification of Cr(VI). The results show acceptable recoveries and agreement with ion chromatography-ultraviolet spectrometry results. These good recoveries indicate that the fluorescence probe is very well suited for environmental measurements.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1632
JournalSensors
Volume23
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • 4-pyridinecarboxyaldehyde
  • carbon dots
  • citric acid
  • fluorescence
  • inner filter effect
  • XPS

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Information Systems
  • Biochemistry
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Instrumentation
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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