Visual fluorescence detection kit for Cr (VI) based on biological matrix-derived carbon dots and assisted for AA

Abstract

In this study, a novel green donkey-hide gelatin carbon dots (D-CDs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method and a portable detector based on Cr (VI) fluorescent test strips was prepared. The synthesized D-CDs exhibited bright blue fluorescence which was used for the detection of Cr (VI) and ascorbic acid (AA). It still exhibited high sensitivity and acceptable selectivity under high concentration of other interfering ions. The morphology and elemental characteristics of D-CDs were characterized. Meanwhile, the “on-off” quenching mechanism of Cr (VI) on D-CDs was studied by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence spectra. Then a D-CDs/Cr (VI) fluorescence sensing platform was constructed, and reopened by AA, thus eliciting an “on-off-on” fluorescence reaction. Under the optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensity was quenched significantly with the increase of Cr (VI) concentration and restored by the good reducibility of ascorbic acid (AA), with the linear ranges of 0.5–400 μM and 1–400 μM, respectively. The detection limits of Cr (VI) and AA can be as low as 0.08 μM and 0.14 μM. Consequently, it has low toxicity and can be successfully used as a fluorescent probe to determine Cr (VI) in river water and AA in fruits with satisfactory results. It not only lays a foundation for the development of fluorescence sensor in the field of environment and food, but also provides a good application prospect for its detection of heavy metal ions and AA.