CdS QDs-chitosan microcapsules with stimuli-responsive property generated by gas–liquid microfluidic technique

•CdS QDs-chitosan microcapsules are generated by gas-liquid microfluidic technique.•CdS QDs retain fluorescent stability after encapsulated in the microcapsules.•QDs-chitosan microcapsules have selective fluorescent responses to different CDs.•α-CD causes changes on the fluorescence and shape of QDs-chitosan microcapsules.

This article describes a straightforward gas–liquid microfluidic approach to generate uniform-sized chitosan microcapsules containing CdS quantum dots (QDs). CdS QDs are encapsulated into the liquid–core of the microcapsules. The sizes of the microcapsules can be conveniently controlled by gas flow rate. QDs-chitosan microcapsules show good fluorescent stability in water, and exhibit fluorescent responses to chemical environmental stimuli. α-Cyclodextrin (α-CD) causes the microcapsules to deform and even collapse. More interestingly, α-CD induces obvious changes on the fluorescent color of the microcapsules. However, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) has little influence on the shape and fluorescent color of the microcapsules. Based on the results of scanning electron microscopy, the possible mechanism about the effects of α-CD on the chitosan microcapsules is analyzed. These stimuli-responsive microcapsules are low-cost and easy to be prepared by gas–liquid microfluidic technique, and can be applied as a potential micro-detector to chemicals, such as CDs.

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