Single-step synthesis of polychromatic carbon quantum dots for macroscopic detection of Hg2

D Y Li; S P Wang; F Azad; S C Su

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.110141

Single-step synthesis of polychromatic carbon quantum dots for macroscopic detection of Hg²

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2020 Mar 1:190:110141. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.110141. Epub 2020 Jan 2.

Authors

D Y Li¹, S P Wang², F Azad³, S C Su⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
² Instituted of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of Macau, 999078, Macau.
³ School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, H-12, Pakistan.
⁴ Institute of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China. Electronic address: shichensu@scnu.edu.cn.

PMID: 31901812
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.110141

Abstract

Two kinds of carbon quantum dots (CQDs), having luminous peaks at 480 and 525 nm, were obtained by a single-step hydrothermal method. The detection of Hg²⁺ by two kinds of carbon dots was further explored. In order to compensate for the weak luminescence of blue carbon dots (480 nm) and low sensitivity of green carbon dots (525 nm), mixed carbon dots were examined for Hg²⁺ detection. The mixed carbon dots showed a better detection of Hg²⁺ ions. Low detection limit of 0.05 μM was found to be in the range of 0-1.0 μM of Hg²⁺. Moreover, in this range, the change of fluorescence intensity can be clearly seen under the ultraviolet lamp, which will be conducive for the practical application of detecting mercury ions with carbon dots.

Keywords: Carbon dots; Environmental pollution and health; Hg(2+)Ions detection; Hydrothermal reaction; Multi-color; Water pollution.

MeSH terms

Carbon
Fluorescence
Ions
Limit of Detection
Mercury / analysis*
Models, Chemical
Quantum Dots*
Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods

Substances

Ions
Carbon
Mercury