Ratiometric fluorescence for sensitive and selective detection of mitoxantrone using a MIP@rQDs@SiO2 fluorescence probe

Molecularly imprinted polymer coated quantum dots (MIP@rQDs@SiO2) fluorescence probe combined with ratiometric fluorescence technique has been applied to the selective and sensitive detection of mitoxantrone (MIT) for the first time. The MIP@rQDs@SiO2 fluorescence probe was synthesized with the mole ratio of template, monomer and cross-linker at 1:4:12. The proposed method can quickly detect mitoxantrone in human serum and urine samples at pH 6.5 within 10 min. The linear range for MIT concentrations was 0.2 μM-2.0 μM, and the detection limit was as low as 0.067 μM. The MIP@rQDs@SiO2 ratiometric fluorescence probe, which integrated the high selectivity of MIP and high sensitivity of the ratiometric fluorescence probe, possesses greater sensitivity and reliability than a single quantum dot MIP fluorescence probe.