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Nitrogen dozen carbon quantum dots as one dual function sensing platform for electrochemical and fluorescent detecting ascorbic acid

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Abstract

A novel amine-modified carbon quantum dots (NH2-CQDs), which can act as a dual-detection probe for the ascorbic acid (AA) response, was synthesized. The product was obtained via facile and green hydrothermal carbonization of L-histidine. The high nitrogen to carbon ratio of L-histidine warrants a high nitrogen content of these CQDs, and thus to have more free electron pairs. This results in good electron transport capability. The NH2-CQDs with an average diameter of 3.67 ± 0.78 nm display blue fluorescence, with excitation/emission maxima at 340/420 nm, and a quantum yield of 15.9%. The fluorescence can be quenched by AA. Moreover, the NH2-CQDs can selectively detect AA with electrochemical detection. On the basis of the electrochemical and fluorescent properties of the NH2-CQDs, the electrochemistry method and fluorescence analysis for the detection of AA with a detection limit of 2.7 μM and 57 nM are developed. This finding may provide a dual-detection platform, which can be used as a potential candidate for more selective to detect AA in pharmaceuticals, clinics, and food industries.

Schematic representation of the synthesis strategy of amine-modified carbon quantum dots (NH2-CQDs) and their electrochemical and fluorescent response to ascorbic acid (AA).

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51661033, 51361028, 51161025, and 31660538).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China

    Xin Zhou, Qing Qu, Lin Wang, Shunling Li & Ke Xia

  2. Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China

    Lei Li

Authors
  1. Xin Zhou
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  2. Qing Qu
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  3. Lin Wang
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  4. Lei Li
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  5. Shunling Li
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  6. Ke Xia
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Correspondence to Qing Qu.

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Highlights

• NH2-CQDs were synthesized by the green hydrothermal treatment of l-histidine and NaOH.

• The NH2-CQDs possess good electronic transmission capability and fluorescence performance.

• The obtained NH2-CQDs were used for dual-detection sensing platforms.

• The strategy has wider linear range and lower detection limit for ascorbic acid detection.

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Zhou, X., Qu, Q., Wang, L. et al. Nitrogen dozen carbon quantum dots as one dual function sensing platform for electrochemical and fluorescent detecting ascorbic acid. J Nanopart Res 22, 20 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-019-4741-9

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