Facile, rapid synthesis of N,P-dual-doped carbon dots as a label-free multifunctional nanosensor for Mn(VII) detection, temperature sensing and cellular imaging

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Vol. 277; pp. 492 - 501
• Main Authors: Du, Fangfang, Li, Gan, Gong, Xiaojuan, Zhonghui, Guo, Shuang, Shaomin, Xian, Ming, Dong, Chuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 20.12.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Absorption spectra; Acid-base neutralization; Biocompatibility; Carbon; Carbon dots; Cellular imaging; Detection; Emission; Ethylenediamine; Fluorescence; Heat treatment; High temperature; Manganese compounds; Manganese(VII) ion; Medicinal herbs; N,P-dual-doped carbon dots; Nanosensors; Optical properties; Phosphoric acid; Selectivity; Sensors; Teas leaves and medicinal herbs samples; Temperature; Temperature sensing; Toxicity; Manganese(VII) ion; Cellular imaging; Teas leaves and medicinal herbs samples; Temperature sensing; N,P-dual-doped carbon dots
• ISSN: 0925-4005; 1873-3077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2018.09.027

Illustration of the synthetic procedure and fluorescence the assay for Mn(VII) based on the IFE of N,P-CDs. [Display omitted] •N,P-CDs were synthesized by a facile, rapid one-step acid-base neutralization spontaneous heat method.•N,P-CDs serve as multifunctional fluorescent nanoprobes for imaging cellular, Mn(VII) detection and temperature sensing.•A novel fluorescent nanosensor is performed to Mn(VII) detection in Teas leaves and Medicinal herbs samples. We rapidly synthesized N,P-dual-doped carbon dots (N,P-CDs) via the acid-base neutralization spontaneous heat using a simple blend of phthalic acid, 1,2-ethylenediamine, and concentrated phosphoric acid. The approach is automatic without external heat treatment to speedily produce dozens of N,P-CDs, which refrain high temperature, sophisticated manipulations, and long reaction times. As-fabricated N,P-CDs with excellent luminescent properties, superior biocompatibility and respectable fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of 15% have been employed for the development of a label-free multifunctional fluorescence sensing platform for the detection of Mn(VII), temperature sensing and cellular imaging. Mn(VII) is able to effectively quench the fluorescence of N,P-CDs based on inner filter effect (IFE) because the absorption bands of Mn(VII) can perfectly overlap the emission and excitation wavelengths of N,P-CDs. The system had high selectivity toward Mn(VII) and the detection limit was 48.3 nM in the broad linear span from 10 μM to 200μM. Moreover, the N,P-CDs were extended for sensing Mn(VII) in living cell due to favorable biocompatibility and negligible cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the sensors showed a linear and reversible variation of emission intensity for a temperature range from 25℃ to 80℃, with a sensitivity of −1.79% per ℃. The practical implications of N,P-CDs for Mn(VII) detection have been demonstrated in Teas leaves and Medicinal herbs samples with satisfactory results.