Sensitive detection of borax in real food samples by red emissive carbon nanoparticle displaying multiformat compatibility including faraway smartphone based sensing

Abstract

Predictable chemical outcome is foremost important to obtain optical output in sensing mechanism that offer excellent leverage to the detection formats. This is demonstrated herein through the ultra-sensitive detection of Borax in real food samples using Carbon Nanoparticle (CNP). An instrument-free, inexpensive, sensitive, on-site, and visual detection is achieved by engaging the surface functional groups of CNP to trap the boronate ion of borax as a crosslinker to enforce an optical outcome in the form of Aggregation Induced Emission (AIE). Drastic amplification of the red fluorescence of CNP after borax addition is achieved within a minute with scope to extend the strategy to multiple formats including 96-well and microfluidic device irrespective of chemical interferences with LOD in micromolar range. The digital images of red emissive aggregated CNP served as input for colour recognition application of smartphones whereby Red-Green-Blue (RGB) channel values were extracted making the detection possible from faraway location.