ZnS:Mn nanoparticles functionalized by PAMAM-OH dendrimer based fluorescence ratiometric probe for cadmium

• Synthesis of fluorescent ZnS:Mn nanoparticles at pH 11.
• Coated with OH-PAMAM dendrimer of third generation.
• ZnS:Mn@PAMAM-OH has been characterized and analyzed by DLS, XPS and fluorescence techniques.
• The effect caused by Cd2+ ion proposed a ratiometric analytical method.
• The wide range of interferences studied make suitable for sensor.

We report a nanocomposite of ZnS:Mn quantum dots and a third generation PAMAM-OH dendrimer (ZnS:Mn@PAMAM-OHG=3) which was rationalized to be used as ratiometric nanosensor for Cd2+ in aqueous solution. The nanoparticles exhibited a bright yellow-orange emission with peaks at 448 and 595 nm. The structure of ZnS:Mn was not changed after coupling with PAMAM-OH, which was evidenced by the analysis of the emission spectra of the compounds. The results confirm that the prepared fluorescence nanoparticles could selectively detect Cd2+ in aqueous solution with a limit of detection of 24.34 μM and RSD 4.07%, obtained by using the ratio I448/I595. The method was applied to different water samples.

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