Electrochemical process of early-stage corrosion detection based on N-doped carbon dots with superior Fe3+ responsiveness

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 606; no. Pt 1; pp. 567 - 576
• Main Authors: Liu, Zheng, Jia, Ruonan, Chen, Feng, Yan, Guilong, Tian, Weiguo, Zhang, Jinming, Zhang, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 15.01.2022
• Subjects: ammonia; Carbon dots; cellulose; citric acid; corrosion; detection limit; electrochemistry; Fe3+ detection; fluorescence; hydrogels; Iron corrosion; quantitative analysis; Sensor; solubility; Iron corrosion; Carbon dots; Fe3+ detection; Sensor
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.08.058

Blue-emitting carbon dots exhibited visual, rapid, selective and accurate detection of Fe3+ during electrochemical corrosion process according to the fluorescence (FL) intensity quenching, which can be used for the early-stage corrosion detection. [Display omitted] Iron corrosion is a subject of great technological importance and extensive public concern. However, the highly efficient detection of iron corrosion at early stage is still a challenging task. Herein, bright fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) with superior response to Fe3+ were prepared by simple solvothermal process based on citric acid and ammonia. The obtained CDs are able to rapidly, sensitively and selectively respond to Fe3+. The quantitative analysis showed that the CDs exhibited a linear response to Fe3+ in the range of 10 to 300 µM, with a detection limit of 0.9 μM. And the fluorescence quenching of CDs was obvious enough to be detected by the naked eyes. Such promising responsiveness of CDs offers a great opportunity for real-time and visual detection of Fe3+ during electrochemical corrosion process. In addition, due to the excellent stability and solubility of CDs, patterned papers and hydrogels have been fabricated utilizing cellulose and PVA as matrices. The as-prepared biocompatible, environmental-friendly and disposable CDs based fluorescent materials were successfully used for detecting the degree of iron corrosion. This could provide a simple and visual strategy for monitoring the safety of structural metal materials.