A carbon dots-based fluorescent probe for turn-on sensing of ampicillin

Authors：Fu, Yanzhao; Zhao, Shaojing; Wu, Shuilin; Huang, Li; Xu, Ting; Xing, Xuejian; Lan, Minhuan^*; Song, Xiangzhi^*

Source：Dyes and Pigments, 2020, 172: UNSP 107846.

DOI：10.1016/j.dyepig.2019.107846

• Carbon dots
• Fluorescent probe
• Turn-on
• Fe3
• Ampicillin

Carbon dots (CDs) with blue fluorescence were synthesized through hydrothermal treatment of p-dihydroxybenzene and hydrazine hydrate. The fluorescence of the investigated CDs could be selectively quenched by iron ions (Fe3 ) because of the strong metal-ligand coordination and electrostatic interactions between the large amount of hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups on CDs' surface and Fe3 . Interestingly, this non-fluorescent CDs Fe3 complex displayed a sensitive and selective turn-on fluorescence toward ampicillin with a limit of detection of 0.70 mu M. The sensing process could be observed by naked eyes under the 365 nm UV light irradiation. Importantly, CDs Fe3 complex had been successfully applied in the detection of ampicillin in river water.

• Institution
  中南大学; 香港城市大学