Fluorescent carbon dots for auramine O determination and logic gate operation

• Auramine O stimulus-responsive dual-emission fluorescence individuality of the prepared CDs was investigated for the first time.
• A novel fluorimetric assay of medicinal herb adulterant (auramine O) was performed.
• A relative low detection limit (50 nM) was achieved.
• The system was employed to design keypad lock and NOR–AND logic gate.

Carbon dots (CDs) with a fluorescence quantum yield of approximately 2.41% were prepared by simple one-step hydro-thermal synthesis of triethylenetetramine-N, N, N′, N″, N‴, N‴-hexaacetic acid (TTHA). The obtained CDs possess excitation wavelength-dependent and pH insensitive photoluminescence (PL) properties. Notably, the as-prepared CDs also exhibited unique auramine O (AO)-stimulus-responsive dual-emission fluorescence individuality, with which detection of AO using CDs has been performed through a fluorescence resonance energy transfer process. The fluorescence signals are linearly correlated with the concentration of AO over a range of 0.18–16.0 μM (R2 = 0.9989), with a limit of detection (3σ) of 54 nM. Additionally, a keypad lock and a NOR–AND logic gate was designed as well.

Carbon dots (CDs) with auramine O (AO)-stimulus-responsive dual-emission fluorescence individuality were prepared via a one-step hydro-thermal treatment of triethylenetetramine-N, N, N′, N″, N‴, N‴-hexaacetic acid (TTHA) under atmospheric environment. The AO-CDs systems possess huge potentiality to develop medicinal herb adulterant sensors and logic devices.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide