Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Oxide Dots-Based "Turn-OFF" H2O2, Au(III), and "Turn-OFF-ON" Hg(II) Sensors as Logic Gates and Molecular Keypad Locks.

Abstract

Fluorescent nitrogen-doped graphene oxide dots (NGODs) have been demonstrated as an on–off nanosensor for the detection of Hg2+, Au3+, and H2O2. As compared to l-cystine, where the luminescence signal recovery results from the detachment of Hg2+ from the NGODs, signal recovery through l-ascorbic acid (turn-off–on model) has been attributed to the reduction of Hg2+ to Hg0. The sustainable recovery of the photoluminescence signal is demonstrated using common citrus fruits containing vitamin C (l-AA), suggesting a promising practical usage of this sensing system. Additionally, the sensitivity of NGOD- and AA-originated signal recovery from the Hg(II)–NGODs mixture has been successfully tested in Hg2+ ion-spiked tap water from three different places. Mimic devices were executed and verified on the basis of characteristic spectral changes, and the possible utility of this system in electronic security and memory element devices has also been demonstrated. Considering an easy synthesis process and excellent performance of NGODs, this investigation opens up new opportunities for preparing high-quality fluorescent NGODs to meet the requirements of many applications.