N, P-doped carbon quantum dots as a fluorescent sensing platform for carbendazim detection based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer

In this work, a simple, sensitive and reliable fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensing platform was established to determine carbendazim based on N, P-doped carbon quantum dots (N, P-CQDs) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). N, P-CQDs with strong green fluorescence were prepared via one-pot hydrothermal reaction and characterized by TEM, XRD, Raman spectrum, FT-IR and XPS. The green fluorescence of N, P-CQDs was easily quenched by Au NPs with the consequence of FRET. With the presence of carbendazim in the N, P-CQDs solutions, the quenched fluorescence intensity was reduced due to the specific interaction between carbendazim and Au NPs. Based on this strategy, N, P-CQDs and Au NPs were employed as a fluorescent sensing platform for the detection of carbendazim. Under the optimal conditions, a good linear range from 0.005 μM to 0.16 μM was obtained, with a low detection limit of 0.002 μM (3δ/S). This sensing platform showed excellent anti-interference capability for carbendazim in a complex system of other interferents. Furthermore, as-present sensing platform was successfully used for carbendazim detection in real samples, indicating the potential applications in carbendazim monitoring.