| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1488768 | Materials Research Bulletin | 2013 | 6 Pages |
•FCDs were synthesized by one-step sodium hydroxide-assisted reflux method from PEG.•The FCDs emit blue photoluminescence and have upconversion fluorescent property.•The FCDs show ultra-sensitive detective ability for Hg2+ ions.
Fluorescent carbon dots (FCDs) were efficiently synthesized by one-step sodium hydroxide-assisted reflux method from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The obtained FCDs exhibit excellent water-solubility and high stability. Under the UV irradiation, the FCDs could emit bright blue photoluminescence, and also they were found to show excellent up-conversion fluorescence. It was further demonstrated that such FCDs can serve as effective fluorescent sensing platform for Hg2+ ions detection with ultra-sensitivity and selectivity. The sensing system achieved a limit of detection as low as 1 fM, which is much lower than all the previous reported sensing systems for Hg2+ ions detection. This FCDs sensing system has been successfully applied for the analysis of Hg2+ ions in water samples from river, lake, and tap water, showing good practical feasibility.
Graphical abstractFluorescent carbon dots were efficiently synthesized by one-step sodium hydroxide-assisted reflux method from PEG and demonstrated to show high selectivity toward Hg2+ ions detection.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide
