Ratiometric fluorescence for sensitive and selective detection of mitoxantrone using a MIP@rQDs@SiO2 fluorescence probe

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymer coated quantum dots (MIP@rQDs@SiO2) fluorescence probe combined with ratiometric fluorescence technique has been applied to the selective and sensitive detection of mitoxantrone (MIT) for the first time. The MIP@rQDs@SiO2 fluorescence probe was synthesized with the mole ratio of template, monomer and cross-linker at 1:4:12. The proposed method can quickly detect mitoxantrone in human serum and urine samples at pH 6.5 within 10min. The linear range for MIT concentrations was 0.2μM–2.0μM, and the detection limit was as low as 0.067μM. The MIP@rQDs@SiO2 ratiometric fluorescence probe, which integrated the high selectivity of MIP and high sensitivity of the ratiometric fluorescence probe, possesses greater sensitivity and reliability than a single quantum dot MIP fluorescence probe.