Water-soluble nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (C-dots) were fabricated by microwave-induced decomposition of the precursor materials citric acid and N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine. The C-dots were placed on portable paper strips with novel origami designs to simplified user operations. The intensity of the blue fluorescence, best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 330/420 nm, depends on the pH value in the range from pH 2 to 12. The C-dots on the paper stripe are shown to be a sensitive fluorescent probe for chromium(VI) via an inner filter effect. Response is linear in the 0.08 to 1 mM concentration range, and the detection limit (at S/N = 3) is 0.14 mM. The test was applied to the determination of chromium(VI) in (spiked) environmental water samples. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the water-soluble nitrogen-doped carbon dots (C-dots) as a fluorescent probe for Cr6+ based on an inner filter effect. The three-dimensional paper analytical device integrating C-dots was applied to the determination of Cr6+ in (spiked) environmental water samples.
Keywords: Carbon dots; Chromium(VI); Environmental analysis; Fluorescence; Origami; Paper microfluidic; Three-dimensional paper analytical devices.