Selective determination of DNA based on the fluorescence recovery of carbon dots quenched by Ru(bpy)2(dppz)2+

Abstract

A quick, highly selective and sensitive method for the determination of DNA was constructed based on the recovery of red fluorescence of carbon dots quenched by a ruthenium complex (Ru (bpy)2 (dppz)2+, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; dppz = dipyrido [3.2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine). The carbon dots showed two emission peaks at 450 and 683 nm under excitation wavelength of 420 nm. After addition of Ru (bpy)2 (dppz)2+, the fluorescence of carbon dots at 683 nm was markedly quenched. Due to the stronger interaction between DNA and Ru (bpy)2 (dppz)2+, the quenched fluorescence of carbon dots was recovered with DNA added. Under the optimum conditions, there was a good linear relationship between the degree of fluorescence recovery of carbon dots and DNA concentration in range of 0.0150–9.60 μg mL−1. The detection limit was 0.00536 μg mL−1. The carbon dots were successfully applied to detect DNA in the simulated sample and the spiked recoveries were between 97.4% and 106%.