Abstract
Red emissive B,N co-doped carbon dots (BN-CDs) were hydrothermally synthesized from cresyl violet and boric acid. The BN-CDs exhibited excellent photostability, low cytotoxicity, excitation/emission maxima at 520/616nm, and a relatively high quantum yield of 18%. The BN-CDs can binded to mercury(II), and this results in quenching ofthe red-colored fluorescence. However, on subsequent addition of the biothiol (such as cysteine, homocysteine or glutathione), fluorescence recovers. Therefore, the BN-CDs can be used as a multifunctional probe based on "on-off-on" fluorescence response for the detection of Hg(II) and biothiols. The following detection limits were accomplished: (a) Hg(II): 2.8μM; (b) glutathione: 1.7μM; (c) cysteine: 2.3μM; (d) homocysteine: 3.0μM. The BN-CDs also have been successfully applied for the imaging of Hg(II) and biothiols in HepG2 cells with excellent bio-compatibility. Graphical abstract Red emissive B,N co-doped carbon dots (BN-CDs) were synthesized through hydrothermal treatment of cresyl violet and boric acid. The BN-CDs can be used as a multifunctional probe based on "on-off-on" fluorescence response for detecting mercury(II) and biothiols in aqueous solution and living cells.
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