A sensitive “ON-OFF” fluorescent probe based on carbon dots for Fe~(2+) detection and cell imaging

摘要

Fe~(2+) is a trace metal ion required by the human body, and its abnormal metabolism can cause serious diseases. Herein, we report the development of a highly efficient “ON-OFF” fluorescent probe based on carbon dots (CDs), prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The CDs exhibited exceptional water dispersibility and stability, superior luminescence performance and low cytotoxicity. The fluorescence could be efficiently quenched by Fe~(2+) through an electronic transfer process. And under the optimized experimental conditions, this probe shows excellent selectivity and high sensitivity towards Fe~(2+) with a detection limit of 51 nmol. More interestingly, this probe could realize the visual detection of Fe~(2+) when Fe~(3+)and Cu~(2+) ions were efficiently shielded by tartaric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the developed fluorescent probe has been successfully applied for the detection of Fe~(2+) in tap water and BSA solution as well as for the biosensing of Fe~(2+) in living cells.