N-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots-Decorated V2O5 Nanosheet for Fluorescence Turn Off-On Detection of Cysteine

Hollow magnetic-fluorescent nanoparticles for dual-modality virus detection

Combination of magnetic nanomaterials with multifunctionality is an emerging class of materials that exhibit tremendous potential in advanced applications. Synthesizing such novel nanocomposites without compromising magnetic behavior and introducing added functional properties is proven challenging. In this study, an optically active quantum dot (QD) (core) encapsulated inside iron oxide (hollow shell) is prepared as the first electrochemical/fluorescence dual-modality probe. Presence of magnetic layer on the surface enables excellent magnetic property and the encapsulating of QDs on the hollow shell structure maintains the fluorescence with minimal quenching effect, endowing for potential application with fluorescence modality readout. We successfully demonstrate dual-modality sensing utilizing of QD-encapsulated magnetic hollow sphere nanoparticles (QD@MHS NPs) with magnetic separation ability and highly integrated multimodal sensing for the detection of various viruses including hepatitis E virus (HEV), HEV-like particles (HEV-LPs), norovirus-like particles (NoV-LPs), and norovirus (NoV) from clinical specimens. Most importantly, fecal samples of HEV-infected monkey are successfully diagnosed with sensitivity similar to gold standard real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). This well-defined QD@MHS NPs-based nanoplatform intelligently integrates dual-modality sensing and magnetic bio-separation, which open a gateway to provide an efficient point-of care testing for virus diagnostics.

Ultrasensitive Detection of Tetracycline Using Boron and Nitrogen Co-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots from Natural Carbon Source as the Paper-Based Nanosensing Probe in Difference Matrices

Herein, the boron and nitrogen co-doped 0-dimensional graphene quantum dots (B,N-GQDs) with high quantum yield (QY) were synthesized via microwave-assisted hydrothermal method at 170 °C for 20 min using fresh passion fruit juice and boric acid as the starting materials. The 3–6 layers of B,N-GQDs with mean particle size of 9 ± 1 nm were then used for ultra-sensitive and selective detection of tetracycline in aqueous and biological media. The hybridization of boron and nitrogen atoms into the GQD structures increases the intensity of electronegative, resulting in the enhancement of QY to 50 ± 1%. The B,N-GQDs show their excellent analytical performance on tetracycline determination after 2 min of reaction under an optimal condition at pH 5. The linear range of 0.04–70 µM and with limits of detection (LOD) of 1 nM in phosphate buffer saline (PBS), 1.9 nM in urine and 2.2 nM in human serum are obtained. Moreover, the high selectivity of tetracycline by B,N-GQDs over the other 23 interferences is observed. The π-π interaction and electron donor-acceptor principle play pivotal roles in enhancing the ultra-sensitivity and selectivity of B,N-GQDs toward TC detection. Moreover, the B, N-GQD based paper nanosensor exhibits an excellent analytical performance on visual detection of 0.1–30 µM TC in human serum. Results of this study clearly indicate the feasibility of synthesis of B,N-GQDs derived from passion fruit juice for ultrasensitive tetracycline detection, which can open an avenue to use natural products for the preparation of environmentally benign and biocompatible carbon nanomaterials for highly sensitive detection of drugs, antibiotics, organic compounds and biomarkers.

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot-based sensing platform for metabolite detection

A novel fluorescent sensing platform based on nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) is presented, which is able to detect various metabolites (cholesterol, glucose, lactate, and xanthine) rapidly, sensitively, and selectively. Hg²⁺ can attach on the surface of N-GQDs, leading to the quenching of N-GQD fluorescence. In the presence of cysteine (Cys), Hg²⁺ is released from N-GQDs and associates with Cys. Then, the fluorescence of N-GQDs is recovered. Hydrogen peroxide, resulting from the enzymatic oxidation of metabolites, can convert two molecules of Cys into one molecule of cystine, which cannot bind with Hg²⁺. So, the fluorescence of N-GQDs quenched again. For cholesterol, glucose, lactate, and xanthine, the limits of detection are 0.035 μmol/L, 0.025 μmol/L, 0.07 μmol/L, and 0.04 μmol/L, respectively, and the linear ranges are 1-12 μmol/L, 0.06-3 μmol/L, 0.2-70 μmol/L, and 0.12-17 μmol/L, respectively. The presented method was applied to quantify metabolites in human blood samples with satisfactory results. Graphical abstract.

Boosting the energy storage performance of V2O5 nanosheets by intercalating conductive graphene quantum dots

2-Dimensional (2D) transition metal oxides are an emerging class of energy materials that offer a wide spectrum of potential applications in electrochemical energy storage. In this study, V2O5 nanosheets have been nano-engineered with 0D graphene quantum dots (GQDs) via a solvothermal treatment process, and they serve as an anode material to boost electrochemical energy storage properties. The interlayer embedded GQD endows V2O5 (VNS-GQD) with structural and compositional advantages for high-performance energy storage, including expanded interlayer distances between layers, fast electrochemical kinetics, and additional stability to buffer the volume variation. Moreover, the strong coupling effect between GQDs and VNS, an ultra-large interfacial area and enhanced electrical conductivity promote the intercalation pseudocapacitance. VNS-GQD exhibits the specific capacitance of 572 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and retains 92% of the initial capacitance after 10 000 charge-discharge cycles. The asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits superior electrochemical performance at a voltage window of 1.5 V. The energy density is 31.25 W h kg-1 at the power density of 2.25 kW kg-1, and maintains a superior energy density of 20.62 W h kg-1 at the high power density of 14.86 kW kg-1. The results of this study can provide an avenue for fabricating nano-sandwiched composites by embedding GQDs into interlayers of 2D transition metal oxide for ultra-high performance applications of energy storage devices.

N-Doped Graphene Quantum Dot-Decorated Three-Dimensional Ordered Macroporous In2O3 for NO2 Sensing at Low Temperatures

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) detection is of great importance because the emission of NO₂ gas profoundly endangers the natural environment and human health. However, a few challenges, including lowering detection limit, improving response/recovery kinetics, and reducing working temperature, should be further addressed before practical applications. Herein, a series of N-doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD)-modified three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) In₂O₃ composites are constructed and their NO₂ response properties are studied. The results show that compared to pure 3DOM In₂O₃, reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/3DOM In₂O₃, and N-doped graphene sheets (NS)/3DOM In₂O₃, the N-GQDs/3DOM In₂O₃ sensing materials exhibit higher NO₂ responses with fast response and recovery speed and low working temperature (100 °C). In addition, the detection limit of NO₂ response for the optimal N-GQDs/In₂O₃ sensor is as low as 100 ppb. Upon exposure to CO, CH₄, NH₃, acetone, ethanol, toluene, and formaldehyde, only very weak responses could be observed, indicating good selectivity for the synthesized material. More attractively, the responses of the optimized N-GQDs/In₂O₃ sensor exhibit no obviously big fluctuation over 60 days, implying good long-term stability. We suggest that the formation of heterojunctions between 3DOM In₂O₃ and N-GQDs and the doping N atoms in N-GQDs play crucial roles in improving the NO₂ sensing properties.

Bipyridine- and Copper-Functionalized N-doped Carbon Dots for Fluorescence Turn Off-On Detection of Ciprofloxacin

Herein, a fluorescence turn off-on nanosensor has been successfully developed using functionalized N-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) as the label-free sensing probe for the ultrasensitive detection of Cu²⁺ ions first and then ciprofloxacin (CIP), one of the most commonly used antibiotics for disease control, in the presence of bipyridine. The homogeneous and narrowly distributed N-CDs with a mean size of 5.7 nm and a high quantum yield of 84% are fabricated via the hydrothermal method in the presence of citric acid and ethylenediamine as the carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The Cu²⁺ ions serve as both analyte and fluorescence quenchers in the sensing platform of N-CDs, and a good linear response to Cu²⁺ in the range of 0.01-0.35 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.076 nM is observed. Then, 0.35 μM Cu²⁺ is used as the fluorescence quencher of N-CDs to build up the fluorescence turn off-on sensing probe for the detection of CIP using bipyridine (bipy) as the linker for CIP and Cu²⁺ ions. The addition of CIP to the bipy-Cu@N-CD composites triggers the formation of CIP-bipy-Cu conjugate as well as the release of N-CDs, resulting in the recovery of fluorescence intensity after 6 min of incubation. The sensing probe exhibits a two-phase linear response to CIP in the concentration range of 0.05-1 and 1-50 μM with a LOD of 0.4 nM. In addition, the bipy-Cu@N-CD probe shows high sensitivity toward CIP over the 19 other interferences. Good recovery of 96-110% is also observed when 0.1-0.9 μM CIP is spiked into the real samples. Results obtained in this study clearly demonstrate a newly developed sensing platform with rapid detection of metal ions and antibiotics, which can open an avenue to develop highly efficient and robust sensing probes for the detection of metal ions, organic metabolites, and biomarkers in biological applications.

An unprecedented polyhydroxycarboxylic acid ligand bridged multi-EuIII incorporated tellurotungstate and its luminescence properties

The first polyhydroxycarboxylic acid ligand bridged multi-EuIII-incorporated tellurotungstate K14H10[Eu4(H2O)4W6(H2glu)4O12(B-α-TeW9O33)4]·60H2O (H6glu = d-gluconic acid) (1) was synthesized via an organic ligand-driven self-assembly strategy. The polyhydroxycarboxylic acid ligand bridged tetrameric polyoxoanion [Eu4(H2O)4W6(H2glu)4O12(B-α-TeW9O33)4]24- in 1 can be viewed as an aggregation of four trivacant Keggin [B-α-TeW9O33]8- fragments and an innovative heterometallic [Eu4(H2O)4W6(H2glu)4O12]8+ cluster, in which four high-coordinate polyhydroxy flexible H2glu4- ligands chelate W and Eu centers through carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, giving rise to a heterometallic cluster. The hexagonal packing of the tetrameric polyoxoanions in 1 along the c axis provides excellent porous channels, which greatly increases the specific surface area of the whole framework and may be of benefit for fluorescence sensing in aqueous solution. 1 can function as a "turn-off" luminescence sensor to detect Cu2+ ions in aqueous solution. The limit of detection (LOD) of the 1-sensor is 8.82 × 10-6 mM, which is the lowest among the reported polyoxometalate-based fluorescence sensors. As for the Cu2+-quenching system, it can function as an "off-on" sensor to detect cysteine in an aqueous system, affording a LOD of 1.75 × 10-4 mM. This work opens up an avenue to broaden the applications of polyoxometalate-based materials in the optical intelligence detection field.

A novel colorimetric and fluorometric probe for biothiols based on MnO2 NFs-Rhodamine B system

Herein, a novel bimodal ratiometric probe for sensitive and selective detection of biothiols (including glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcys)) was constructed, which was based on the redox reaction between manganese dioxide nanoflakes (MnO₂ NFs) and rhodamine (RhB) and biothiols. When MnO₂ NFs was added into RhB solution, RhB was oxidized to a series of derivatives, accompanying with the colorimetric color changing from purple to light pink and fluorescence changing from red to green. In the presence of GSH, Cys or Hcys, they could reduce MnO₂ NFs to Mn²⁺, thereby preventing the following oxidization of RhB and the corresponding color and fluorescence changes. The absorption intensity ratio and fluorescence intensity ratio showed good linear relationships with the concentrations of biothiols. The colorimetric detection limits for GSH, Cys and Hcys were 0.057 μM, 0.140 μM and 0.087 μM, respectively. And the fluorescence detection limits were 0.177 μM, 0.282 μM and 0.161 μM. More importantly, this probe was successfully applied to monitor the concentration of GSH/Cys/Hcys in human serum samples, with satisfactory recovery. Thus, this MnO₂ NFs-RhB platform can potentially be a candidate for the detection of biothiols.

Luminescence Enhancement based Sensing of L-Cysteine by Doped Quantum Dots

The interaction of a presynthesized orange emitting Mn²⁺ -doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with L-Cysteine (L-Cys) led to enhance emission intensity (at 596 nm) and quantum yield (QY). Importantly, the Mn²⁺ -doped ZnS QDs exhibited high sensitivity towards L-Cys, with a limit of detection of 0.4±0.02 μM (in the linear range of 3.3-13.3 μM) and high selectivity in presence of interfering amino acids and metal ions. The association constant of L-Cys was determined to be 0.36×10⁵  M^-1 . The amplified passivation of the surface of Mn²⁺ -doped ZnS QDs following the incorporation and binding of L-Cys is accounted for the enhancement in their luminescence features. Moreover, the luminescence enhancement-based detection will bring newer dimension towards sensing application.

Use of Target-Specific Liposome and Magnetic Nanoparticle Conjugation for the Amplified Detection of Norovirus

Viral diseases are one of the most life-threatening diseases as they can erupt unpredictably and spread rapidly in any medium with a very small number of particles. Therefore, the key for lethal virus detection should be highly sensitive in the early-stage detection, which can help increase the chance of survival. Amplification of the detecting signal is one of the most promising mechanisms for the detection of low-concentration analytes. A proper amplification can develop such a kind of system where a small number of particles can produce intense signals for a prominent detection. Keeping this in mind, in this report, we have presented a fluorometric method to detect norovirus (NoV) by a newly developed fluorophore-labeled liposome and a magnetically modified Fe₃O₄ combined system. Homogeneously distributed amine-functionalized liposomes have been constructed filled with a strong fluorophore of calcein. Simultaneously, (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES)-functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are also synthesized by the standard silanization process, and these two separately synthesized nanoparticles were functionalized with an antibody to achieve specificity. The Fe₃O₄ and calcein-liposome system has been applied for NoV detection, which was magnetically separated from the analyte medium and then externally burst to release the fluorophores from the core of the liposome. The easiness, rapidity, and sensitivity in a wide linear range can offer a huge potential of this method in point-of-care diagnostics.

Dual modality sensor using liposome-based signal amplification technique for ultrasensitive norovirus detection

Sensitive and accurate detection methods for infectious viruses are the pressing need for effective disease diagnosis and treatment. Herein, based on V₂O₅ nanoparticles-encapsulated liposomes (VONP-LPs) we demonstrate a dual-modality sensing platform for ultrasensitive detection of the virus. The sensing performance relies on intrinsic peroxidase and electrochemical redox property of V₂O₅ nanoparticles (V₂O₅ NPs). The target-specific antibody-conjugated VONP-LPs and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) enrich the virus by magnetic separation and the separated VONP-LPs bound viruses are hydrolyzed to release the encapsulated V₂O₅ NPs. These released nanoparticles from captured liposomes act as peroxidase mimics and electrochemical redox indicator resulting in noticeable colorimetric and robust electrochemical dual-signal. Utilizing the superiority of dual-modality sensor with two quantitative analysis forms, norovirus like particles (NoV-LPs) can be detected by electrochemical signals with a wide linear range and low detection limit. To verify the applicability in real samples, norovirus (NoV) collected from actual clinical samples are effectively-identified with excellent accuracy. This proposed detection method can be a promising next-generation bioassay platform for early-stage diagnosis of virus disease and surveillance for public health.

Applications of Graphene Quantum Dots in Biomedical Sensors

Due to the proliferative cancer rates, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases and a plethora of infections across the globe, it is essential to introduce strategies that can rapidly and specifically detect the ultralow concentrations of relevant biomarkers, pathogens, toxins and pharmaceuticals in biological matrices. Considering these pathophysiologies, various research works have become necessary to fabricate biosensors for their early diagnosis and treatment, using nanomaterials like quantum dots (QDs). These nanomaterials effectively ameliorate the sensor performance with respect to their reproducibility, selectivity as well as sensitivity. In particular, graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which are ideally graphene fragments of nanometer size, constitute discrete features such as acting as attractive fluorophores and excellent electro-catalysts owing to their photo-stability, water-solubility, biocompatibility, non-toxicity and lucrativeness that make them favorable candidates for a wide range of novel biomedical applications. Herein, we reviewed about 300 biomedical studies reported over the last five years which entail the state of art as well as some pioneering ideas with respect to the prominent role of GQDs, especially in the development of optical, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical biosensors. Additionally, we outline the ideal properties of GQDs, their eclectic methods of synthesis, and the general principle behind several biosensing techniques.

One-step synthesis of carbon dots for selective bacterial inactivation and bacterial differentiation

Novel carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal approach using ampicillin as a precursor, and the as-prepared CDs exhibited a high quantum yield (23%). The CDs were found to possess abundant surface functional groups, thus providing good permeability to the cell, and the antibacterial activity of CDs was evaluated. S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were selected as model bacteria, and our results showed that the CDs exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus and L. monocytogenes under visible light illumination, even at low concentrations. The antibacterial mechanism is believed to be the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from CDs under visible light irradiation, which attacked the bacterial cell membranes, resulting in the death of the bacteria. In addition, because of the multicolor fluorescence properties of CDs, staining of S. aureus and L. monocytogenes obtained multicolor fluorescence images at different excitation wavelengths. Based on these results, CDs are a promising candidate material for biological applications. Graphical abstract.

A nanohybrid self-assembled from exfoliated layered vanadium oxide nanosheets and Keggin Al13 for selective catalytic oxidation of alcohols

A porous V₂O₅–Al₁₃ nanohybrid based on the self-assembly of Keggin Al₁₃ and exfoliated V₂O₅ nanosheets for selective oxidation of alcohols.

Heteroatom-doped graphene as sensing materials: a mini review

Graphene is one of the astounding recent advancements in current science and one of the most encouraging materials for application in cutting-edge electronic gadgets. Graphene and its derivatives like graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide have emerged as significant nanomaterials in the area of sensors. Furthermore, doping of graphene and its derivatives with heteroatoms (B, N, P, S, I, Br, Cl and F) alters their electronic and chemical properties which are best suited for the construction of economical sensors of practical utility. This review recapitulates the developments in graphene materials as emerging electrochemical, ultrasensitive explosive, gas, glucose and biological sensors for various molecules with greater sensitivity, selectivity and a low limit of detection. Apart from the most important turn of events, the properties and incipient utilization of the ever evolving family of heteroatom-doped graphene are also discussed. This review article encompasses a wide range of heteroatom-doped graphene materials as sensors for the detection of NH₃, NO₂, H₂O₂, heavy metal ions, dopamine, bleomycinsulphate, acetaminophen, caffeic acid, chloramphenicol and trinitrotoluene. In addition, heteroatom-doped graphene materials were also explored for sensitivity and selectivity with respect to interfering analytes present in the system. Finally, the review article concludes with future perspectives for the advancement of heteroatom-doped graphene materials.

Graphene is one of the astounding recent advancements in current science and one of the most encouraging materials for application in cutting-edge electronic gadgets.

Smart phone assisted, rapid, simplistic, straightforward and sensitive biosensing of cysteine over other essential amino acids by β-cyclodextrin functionalized gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric probe

Herein, we have attempted the synthesis of β-CD functionalized AuNPs and then applied them as a colorimetric assay for the quantification of Cys over other different essential amino acids.

Graphene Quantum Dots Decorated Gold-Polyaniline Nanowire for Impedimetric Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

A label-free impedimetric immunosensor based on N, S-graphene quantum dots@Au-polyaniline (N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI) nanowires was fabricated for the quantitative detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The N, S-GQDs and Au-PANI were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal pyrolysis and interfacial polymerization, respectively. Subsequently, 2-9 nm N, S-GQDs are successfully decorated onto 30-50 nm Au-PANI nanowires by Au-thiol linkage to serve as the bifunctional probe for amplifying the electrochemical activity as well as anchoring anti-CEA. The N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI nanowires are excellent conducting materials to accelerate the electron transfer, while the formation of CEA antibody-antigen bioconjugates after the addition of CEA significantly increase the charge transfer resistance, and subsequently provides a highly stable and label-free immunoassay platform for the impedimetric detection of CEA. The label-free immunosensor exhibits a wide linear range from 0.5 to 1000 ng mL-1 with a low detection limit of 0.01 ng mL-1. The N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI based immunosensor also shows high selectivity and stability over other cancer makers and amino acids. Moreover, this promising platform is successfully applied to the detection of CEA in human serum samples with excellent recovery of (96.0 ± 2.6)-(103 ± 3.8)%. These results clearly demonstrate a newly developed highly efficient and label-free impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of CEA using N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI nanowires as the biosensing probe, which can pave the gateway for the fabrication of high performance and robust impedimetric immunosensor to detect cancer makers in early stage of cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Fluorometric determination and intracellular imaging of cysteine by using glutathione capped gold nanoclusters and cerium(III) induced aggregation

A turn-on fluorometric method is described for selective and sensitive detection of cysteine (Cys). Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) capped with glutathione (GSH) are used as a fluorescent probe. If Ce³⁺ ion are present, they will bind to the carboxy groups of the GSH-capped Au NC. This results in aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE), best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 360/575 nm. On addition of Cys, which has less steric hindrance compared with GSH and higher affinity for Ce³⁺, it will bind to Ce³⁺ through the carboxyl group and link with Au NCs via Au-S bond. Hence, the AIEE is increased and Cys can be quantified via this effect with a linear response in the 0.4-120 μmol L^-1 Cys concentration range and a detection limit of 0.15 μmol L^-1. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of cysteine detection via the Ce³⁺-triggered aggregation of glutathione capped gold nanoclusters which leads to increased yellow fluorescence.

Boron Doped Graphene Quantum Structure and MoS2 Nanohybrid as Anode Materials for Highly Reversible Lithium Storage

Herein, the boron-doped graphene quantum structure (BGQS), which contains both the advantages of 0-D graphene quantum dot and 2-D reduced graphene oxide, has been fabricated by top-down hydrothermal method and then mixed with molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) to serve as an active electrode material for the enhanced electrochemical performance of lithium ion battery. Results show that 30 wt% of BGQS/MoS2 nanohybrid delivers the superior electrochemical performance in comparison with other BGQS/MoS2 and bare components. A highly reversible capacity of 3,055 mAh g-1 at a current density of 50 mA g-1 is achieved for the initial discharge and a high reversible capacity of 1,041 mAh g-1 is obtained at 100 mA g-1 after 50 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance in BGQS/MoS2 nanohybrid is attributed to the well exfoliated MoS2 structures and the presence of BGQS, which can provide the vitally nano-dimensional contact for the enhanced electrochemical performance. Results obtained in this study clearly demonstrate that BGQS/MoS2 is a promising material for lithium ion battery and can open a pathway to fabricate novel 2-D nanosheeted nanocomposites for highly reversible Li storage application.

Green Synthesis of Blue Fluorescent P-doped Carbon Dots for the Selective Determination of Picric Acid in an Aqueous Medium

A fluorescence method for the determination of picric acid (PA) using phosphorus-doped carbon dots (P-CDs), synthesized from β-cyclodextrin and sodium pyrophosphate, is described. The P-CDs are very uniform and monodisperse with a diameter of about 2.8 nm. Under an excitation of 350 nm, the P-CDs emit bright blue fluorescence with an emission peak at 440 nm. The as-synthesized P-CDs serve as a sensitive, selective, and label-free fluorescent probe for the detection of PA. Based on an inner filter effect between PA and P-CDs, a linear response is obtained for PA from 0.1 to 10 μM with a detection limit of 82 nM. Finally, this sensing system has been demonstrated to have practicability for PA detection in the environmental water samples.

Investigation of photo-induced electron transfer between amino-functionalized graphene quantum dots and selenium nanoparticle and it's application for sensitive fluorescent detection of copper ions

Copper ions play an essential role in some biological processes. Currently, there is a need for the development of convenient and reliable analytical methods for the Cu²⁺ measurement. In the present work, a sensitive fluorescence method was developed for the determination of copper ions. Amino-functionalized graphene quantum dots (af-GQDs) and selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) were synthetized, respectively, and they were characterized via transmission electron microscope, infrared spectrum analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectrum measurement. Photo-induced electron transfer (PET) between the prepared two nanomaterials could effectively quench the fluorescence of af-GQDs. Cu(II) was reduced to Cu(I) in the presence ascorbic acid and Cu₂Se was finally generated on Se NPs surface, which led to the declined PET efficiency and inhibited the fluorescence quenching of af-GQDs. The change in fluorescence intensity was linearly correlated to the logarithm of the Cu²⁺ concentration from 1 nM to 10 μM, with a detection limit of 0.4 nM under the optimal conditions. The detections of copper ions in water samples were realized via standard addition method and the recovery values varied from 98.7% to 103%. The proposed fluorescence method was also employed to analyze the uptake of Cu²⁺ into human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and cisplatin-resistant HeLa cells (HeLa/DDP cells). The experimental results indicate that the decreased hCTR1 expression level in HeLa/DDP cells weakened the uptake of copper ions into these drug-resistant tumor cells.

A review on graphene-based nanocomposites for electrochemical and fluorescent biosensors

Biosensors with high sensitivity, selectivity and a low limit of detection, reaching nano/picomolar concentrations of biomolecules, are important to the medical sciences and healthcare industry for evaluating physiological and metabolic parameters.

Design and synthesis of a vanadate-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for sequential recognition of Cu2+ ions and biothiols

YVO₄:Eu³⁺@CDs core–shell nanomaterial was synthesized through a simple self-assembly of carbon dots (CDs) with YVO₄:Eu³⁺, since the high affinity of oxygen-containing groups such as –COOH or –OH of CDs to the metal ions on the surface of YVO₄:Eu³⁺.

Sulfur-doped graphene quantum dot-based paper sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of 4-nitrophenol in contaminated water and wastewater

4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) is a promulgated priority pollutant, which can cause a negative impact on human health. The development of a direct and effective technique for the rapid detection and screening of 4-NP is, therefore, of urgent need. In this study, the blue luminescent sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots (S-GQDs) with a size of 1–5 nm are fabricated using a one-step pyrolysis procedure in the presence of citric acid and 3-mercaptosuccinic acid. The S-GQDs exhibit a strong emission band at 450 nm under the excitation of 330 nm UV light. 4-NP can serve as the fluorescence quencher by the π–π interaction with S-GQD, resulting in the linear decrease in fluorescence intensity after the addition of various 4-NP concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 200 μM. The S-GQDs serve as the sensing probe to enhance the analytical performance on 4-NP detection with the limit of detection values of 0.7 and 3.5 nM in deionized water and wastewater, respectively. The S-GQD based sensing platform can be used to detect 4-NP in different matrices of water and wastewater. In addition, the detected percentages of spiked 4-NP concentrations in the presence of different matrices and interferences are in the range of (98 ± 5)–(108 ± 2)%. Moreover, the S-GQD based paper sensor can rapidly screen 4-NP in wastewater within 1 min. Results obtained in this study clearly demonstrate the superiority of S-GQDs as a promising fluorescence probe for highly sensitive and selective detection of a wide concentration range of 4-NP in deionized water and wastewater.

Sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots have been prepared for effective and rapid detection of 4-nitrophenol.

Gram-scale synthesis of nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots for sensitive detection of mercury ions and l-cysteine

Sensitive and reliable detection of mercury ions (Hg²⁺) and l-cysteine (l-Cys) is of great significance for toxicology assessment, environmental protection, food analysis and human health. Herein, we present gram-scale synthesis of nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) for sensitive detection of Hg²⁺ and l-Cys. The N-GQDs are one-step synthesized using bottom-up molecular fusion in a hydrothermal process with gram-scale yield at a single run. N-GQDs exhibit good structural characteristics including uniform size (∼2.1 nm), high crystallinity, and single-layered graphene thickness. Successful doping of N atom enables bright blue fluorescence (absolute photoluminescence quantum yield of 24.8%) and provides unique selectivity towards Hg²⁺. Based on the fluorescence quenching by Hg²⁺ (turn-off mode), N-GQDs are able to serve as an effective fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of Hg²⁺ with low limit of detection (19 nM). As l-Cys could recover the fluorescence of N-GQDs quenched by Hg²⁺, fluorescent detection of l-Cys is also demonstrated using turn-off-on mode.

One-step and gram-scale synthesis of nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots is realized for their sensitive detection of Hg²⁺ and l-Cys.

Single-step detection of norovirus tuning localized surface plasmon resonance-induced optical signal between gold nanoparticles and quantum dots

A new method of label free sensing approach with superior selectivity and sensitivity towards virlabel-freeon is presented here, employing the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) behavior of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and fluorescent CdSeTeS quantum dots (QDs). Inorganic quaternary alloyed CdSeTeS QDs were capped with _L-cysteine via a ligand exchange reaction. Alternatively, citrate stabilized AuNPs were functionalized with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid to generate carboxylic group on the gold surface. The carboxylic group on the AuNPs was subjected to bind covalently with the amine group of _L-cysteine capped CdSeTeS QDs to form CdSeTeS QDs/AuNPs nanocomposites. The fluorescence of CdSeTeS QDs/AuNPs nanocomposite shows quenched spectrum of CdSeTeS QDs at 640 nm due to the close interaction with AuNPs. However, after successive addition of norovirus-like particles (NoV-LPs), steric hindrance-induced LSPR signal from the adjacent AuNPs triggered the fluorescence enhancement of QDs in proportion to the concentration of the target NoV-LPs. A linear range of 10^-14 to 10^-9 g mL^-1 NoV-LPs with a detection limit of 12.1 × 10^-15 g mL^-1 was obtained. This method was further applied on clinically isolated norovirus detection, in the range of 10²-10⁵ copies mL^-1 with a detection limit of 95.0 copies mL^-1, which is 100-fold higher than commercial ELISA kit. The superiority of the proposed sensor over other conventional sensors is found in its ultrasensitive detectability at low virus concentration even in clinically isolated samples. This proposed detection method can pave an avenue for the development of high performance and robust sensing probes for detection of virus in biomedical applications.