Design and implementation of fluorescence sensor based on all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots for rapid detection of tetracycline in water

Abstract

All-inorganic perovskite quantum dots (IPQDs) have become the most popular materials in the field of fluorescence detection due to their excellent optical properties. However, it is still a challenge to implement IPQDs detection in the water environment. In this work, IPQDs stably existing in aqueous solution were successfully prepared and used as fluorophores, and large mesoporous silica nanoparticles (LMSNs) were used as support. A novel LMSNs@IPQDs fluorescence sensor was developed for the specific fluorescence detection of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous solution. The results showed that there was a good linear relationship between the fluorescence quenching degree of LMSNs@IPQDs and TC concentration in the range of 0.7–15 μM, and the detection limit was 93 nM. The fluorescence quenching mechanism was mainly the electron transfer between TC and IPQDs. At the same time, the LMSNs@IPQDs fluorescence sensor had better specific selectivity and anti-interference ability to TC. The method was applied to the determination of TC concentration in water environment and the recoveries were 94.7%–106.3%. This work has achieved a breakthrough of IPQDs in water detection and opened up a way for the application of IPQDs in fluorescence detection.