Quantum dots and carbon dots based fluorescent sensors for TB biomarkers detection

Abstract

The clinical use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection for improved and rapid diagnoses of various diseases possesses a significant potential for the correct and timely screening of such diseases. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major pulmonary disease of concern, and can potentially be diagnosed using breath analysis techniques. Various sensing methods have been demonstrated and utilized to detect TB-VOCs. Some of the methods are based on electrical signal or change in resistance of device due to VOCs while some methods utilize mass spectroscopy. A low cost and quick method is very essential at this stage. Hence, in this paper, we report the synthesis of stable colloidal suspensions of CdSe QDs as well as carbon dots as a viable photoluminescent platform for detection of TB biomarkers. Such novel CdSe/carbon dots based sensing solution with tunable excitation and emission properties acts as a fluorescent probe for selective detection of TB biomarkers. The development of a smart, tunable fluorescent sensor system can provide an economically feasible solution and pave the way for rapid disease diagnostics.