CdSe and ZnSe quantum dots capped with PEA for screening C-reactive protein in human serum

► Fluorescence chemical sensor for the CRP based in CdSe quantum dots assembly to O-phosphorylethanolamine (PEA). ► The fluorescence of CdSe quantum dots was explained due to the quenching of the CRP. ► The precision of the method obtained (as RSD) for 4 mg L−1 (n = 3) was 0.37% for CdSe-PEA. ► Application to human serum.