Colorimetric and fluorescent sensing of copper ions in water through o-phenylenediamine-derived carbon dots

Fluorescent nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon dots (NSCDs) were synthesized using a simple one-step hydrothermal method starting from o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and ammonium sulfide. The prepared NSCDs presented a selective dual optical response to Cu(II) in water through the arising of an absorption band at 660 nm and simultaneous fluorescence enhancement at 564 nm. The first effect was attributed to formation of cuprammonium complexes through coordination with amino functional groups of NSCDs. Alternatively, fluorescence enhancement can be explained by the oxidation of residual OPD bound to NSCDs. Both absorbance and fluorescence showed a linear increase with an increase of Cu(II) concentration in the range 1-100 mu M, with the lowest detection limit of 100 nM and 1 mu M, respectively. NSCDs were successfully incorporated in a hydrogel agarose matrix for easier handling and application to sensing. The formation of cuprammonium complexes was strongly hampered in an agarose matrix while oxidation of OPD was still effective. As a result, color variations could be perceived both under white light and UV light for concentrations as low as 10 mu M. Since these color changes were similarly perceived in tap and lake water samples, the present method could be a promising candidate for simple, cost-effective visual monitoring of copper onsite

Colorimetric detection of chromium(VI) ions in water using unfolded-fullerene carbon nanoparticles

Water pollution caused by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) ions represents a serious hazard for human health due to the high systemic toxicity and carcinogenic nature of this metal species. The optical sensing of Cr(VI) through specifically engineered nanomaterials has recently emerged as a versatile strategy for the application to easy-to-use and cheap monitoring devices. In this study, a one-pot oxidative method was developed for the cage opening of C60 fullerene and the synthesis of stable suspensions of N-doped carbon dots in water–THF solutions (N-CDs-W-THF). The N-CDs-W-THF selectively showed variations of optical absorbance in the presence of Cr(VI) ions in water through the arising of a distinct absorption band peaking at 550 nm, i.e., in the transparency region of pristine material. Absorbance increased linearly, with the ion concentration in the range 1–100 µM, thus enabling visual and ratiometric determination with a limit of detection (LOD) of 300 nM. Selectivity and possible interference effects were tested over the 11 other most common heavy metal ions. The sensing process occurred without the need for any other reactant or treatment at neutral pH and within 1 min after the addition of chromium ions, both in deionized and in real water sam-ples

Detection of Cu(II) in water by using N, S co-doped carbon dots

Determination of Cu(II) ions in surface and drinking water is a high-priority issue both for the environment and human health. Here, we report on the preparation via a hydrothermal method of stable water suspensions of N and S co-doped carbon dots. This material demonstrated selective sensitivity to the presence of copper in water with the appearance of a characteristic absorption band at 658 nm resulting in a visual color variation from orange to dark brown. The colorimetric measurement, carried out by recording the difference between the absorbance at two wavelengths, showed a good linear dependence on the ion concentration from 1 to 100 μM with a lower limit of detection of 300 nM, significantly below the values set by health and environmental organizations. The sensing method is simply based on the addition of the contaminated sample to the carbon dot solution without any other reagents or previous treatment. Moreover, the sensing solution showed stability for at least 6 months after preparation