Polymer nanodots of graphitic carbon nitride as effective fluorescent probes for the detection of Fe~(3+) and Cu~(2+) ions

摘要

A simple and green route was developed for the first time to produce fluorescent graphitic carbon nitride (F-g-C3N4) by hydrothermal treatment of bulk g-C3N4. The produced F-g-C3N4 dots have blue emission and a high quantum yield, and were applied as a very effective fluorescent probe for label-free selective and sensitive detection of Cu~(2+) and Fe~(3+) ions; the limits of detection were as low as 0.5 nM and 1.0 nM, respectively. By using sodium hexametaphosphate (SHPP) as a masking agent of Fe~(3+), Cu~(2+) was exclusively detected in the presence of Fe~(3+) ions. Cu~(2+) and Fe~(3+) ions in real water samples were also detected successfully. This exceptional fluorescent performance makes the probes based on F~g-C3N4 dots attractive for highly sensitive detection of Cu~(2+) and Fe~(3+) ions in real water.