An innovative colorimetric platform for the low-cost and selective identification of Cu(II), Fe(III), and Hg(II) using GQDs-DPA supported amino acids by microfluidic paper-based (µPADs) device: Multicolor plasmonic patterns

Abstract

This study reports the synthesis of functional graphene quantum dots (GQDs) through the thermal pyrolysis of D-penicillamine (DPA) and citric acid towards water treatment. For the first time, a novel type of highly fluorescent probe for selective Cu2+ detection among 26 types of metal ions which considerably enhance the fluorescence intensity of GQD. Furthermore, the recognition effects can be strengthen addition of amino acids owing to raise the electron density of the system and boos the accumulation profile of the sensing molecules. This simple fluorescent probe was applied for facile metal ions recognition in human urine samples, as well as environmental fluids. The proposed DPA-GQDs supported amino acids respond to Cu2+, Hg2+, and Fe3+, with high sensitivity. The intensity of the fluorescence histogram of this probe significantly diminished in exposure to metal ions such as, Cu(II), Hg(II), and Fe(III). Moreover, in our work, microfluidic paper-based (µPADs) was fabricated through a facile and a cost-effective method. Cu2+ can selectively be recognized by GQD-DPA on the paper-based sensors by naked-eye. The functionalized DPA-GQDs is an excellent alternative to previously reported fluorescent probes for sensing, bio-labeling, and other biological usages in aqueous solution. Its nitrogen and oxygen-rich groups can coordinate with Cu2+ and cause to an apparent fluorescence quenching by the non-radiative electron-transmission. The technique presented in this paper is economical and simple in design, and provides a "mix-and-sense" protocol with no need to chemical- or dye-modifications. Our proposed Cu2+ sensing probe exhibits linear response in the concentrations ranging from 0.001 ppm to 5 ppm, with a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 0.1 ppm in both environmental fluids, and human urine samples. The enhanced color uniformity, the low instrumental needs of the stamp, and disposability of μPADs enable the application of the suggested paper-based device for the commercial diagnostics biosensor.