In this work, a novel fluorescence sensor has been designed to solve the actual need of new fast and inexpensive sensing platforms for the analysis of synthetic colorants. It is based on MoS2 quantum dots obtained by a hydrothermal method and incorporated as fluorophore into the matrix of PVC membranes, which are deposited on quartz substrates by spin-coating. It was proven, as in these conditions, MoS2 quantum dots maintain the fluorescent properties that they present in solution. Experiments carried out in solution displayed a maximum emission when they were excited under 310 nm. This initial fluorescence decreases linearly in presence of increasing concentrations of various synthetic colorants namely quinoline yellow, tartrazine, sunset yellow, allura red, ponceau 4R and carmoisine. The two possible mechanisms that can explain this quenching effect, colorants absorbing photons emitted by quantum dots and/or competing with the nanomaterial for photons coming from the excitation source, were evaluated. The most pronounced effect was observed with quinoline yellow, as a result of a mixed mechanism. The optimized methodology developed for the determination of quinoline yellow showed a linear concentration range between 5.4 and 55.0 µg with a limit of detection of 1.6 µg. The sensor was applied to the determination of quinoline yellow in a food colour paste obtaining results in good agreement with those obtained by HPLC-UV-vis measurements.
Keywords: Fluorescence quenching; Hydrothermal synthesis; MoS(2) quantum dots; Optical sensor; Quinoline yellow.
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