Carbon dots derived from cellobiose for temperature and phosalone detection

Abstract

Cellobiose, the hydrolysis product of cellulose and the dimer of glucose, was employed to synthesize carbon dots (CDs) via a simple hydrothermal method. The inducing of nitrogen can act as a “molecular glue”, more and more carbon clusters were “glued” together, which would push the hydrothermal reaction in the positive direction. Besides, the linear response of the fluorescence of N-CDs to temperature ensured its potential application in temperature sensing. In the temperature range of 10∼80 °C, the fluorescence of as-prepared N-CDs was reversible and recoverable. Moreover, the dual fluorescence centers and dual-absorption bands of the as-prepared N-CDs permitted the novel dual-mode ratiometric assays for phosalone detection. The linear range and limit of detection (LOD) for dual fluorescence center-based ratiometric assay were 0.12∼5.45 μg/mL and 42.90 ng/mL, respectively. While that for the dual absorption-based ratiometric assay were 0.02∼1.40 μg/mL, and 6.67 ng/mL, respectively.