Graphene Quantum Dot as a Green and Facile Sensor for Free Chlorine in Drinking Water

Effect of nitrogen atom positioning on the trade-off between emissive and photocatalytic properties of carbon dots

Carbon dots (CDs) are a versatile nanomaterial with attractive photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties. Here we show that these two functionalities can be easily tuned through a simple synthetic means, using a microwave irradiation, with citric acid and varying concentrations of nitrogen-containing branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) as precursors. The amount of BPEI determines the degree of nitrogen incorporation and the different inclusion modes within the CDs. At intermediate levels of BPEI, domains grow containing mainly graphitic nitrogen, producing a high photoluminescence yield. For very high (and very low) BPEI content, the nitrogen atoms are located primarily at the edge sites of the aromatic domains. Accordingly, they attract photogenerated electrons, enabling efficient charge separation and enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water. The ensuing ability to switch between emissive and photocatalytic behavior of CDs is expected to bring substantial improvements on their efficiency for on-demand light emission or energy conversion applications.

Carbon Nanomaterials in Biological Studies and Biomedicine

The "carbon nano-world" has made over the past few decades huge contributions in diverse scientific disciplines and technological advances. While dramatic advances have been widely publicized in using carbon nanomaterials such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene in materials sciences, nano-electronics, and photonics, their contributions to biology and biomedicine have been noteworthy as well. This Review focuses on the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and carbon quantum dots [encompassing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and carbon dots (C-dots)] in biologically oriented materials and applications. Examples of these remarkable nanomaterials in bio-sensing, cell- and tissue-imaging, regenerative medicine, and other applications are presented and discussed, emphasizing the significance of their unique properties and their future potential.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer aptasensor between nanoceria and graphene quantum dots for the determination of ochratoxin A

In the present work, colloidal cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were firstly synthesized by sol-gel method and pyrolysis respectively, which all have a uniform nano-size and significant fluorescence emission. Due to the fluorescence emission spectrum of nanoceria overlapped the absorption spectrum of GQDs, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between nanoceria and GQDs could occur effectively by the electrostatic interaction. Based on it, a sensitive ratiometric fluorescence aptasensor for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA), a small molecular mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium strains, has been successfully constructed. In which, probe DNA1@nanoceria and DNA2@GQD were designed to complementary with OTA aptamer, both could adsorb each other, leading to the occur of FRET. After adding of OTA aptamer and then introducing of OTA, the FRET would be interrupted/recovered due to the specific affinity of OTA and its aptamer, the fluorescence recovery value would increase with the addition of OTA. Under the optimal experimental conditions (pH 7, m_{GQD/nanoceria} 2, c_aptamer 100 nM, incubation time 30 min), the constructed ratiometric fluorescence aptasensor exhibited a satisfying linear range (0.01-20 ng mL^-1), low limit of detection (2.5 pg mL^-1) and good selectivity towards OTA, and has been successfully applied for the analysis of real sample peanuts with good accuracy of the recoveries ranged from 90 to 110%.

Preconcentration and extraction of lead ions in vegetable and water samples by N-doped carbon quantum dot conjugated with Fe3O4 as a green and facial adsorbent

Magnetically N-doped Carbon quantum dots has been synthesized via a simple chemical method and applied as a sorbent for the preconcentration and extraction of trace amounts of Pb²⁺ from water and vegetable samples followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometric detection. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer analysis and transmission electron microscopy. A central-composite design was used to find the optimum conditions for the preconcentration procedure through response surface methodology. The effects of various parameters such as the pH value, adsorption time, amount of adsorbent, desorption conditions (type, concentration and volume of the eluent and desorption time), sample volume and interfering ions have been studied. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.3-300μgL^-1 (R²=9992). The detection limit and pre-concentration factor were found to be 0.082μgL^-1 and 265, respectively.

BSA-AuNPs@Tb-AMP metal-organic frameworks for ratiometric fluorescence detection of DPA and Hg2

An easy and effective strategy for synthesizing a ratiometric fluorescent nanosensor has been demonstrated in this work. Novel fluorescent BSA-AuNPs@Tb-AMP (BSA, bovine serum albumin; AMP, adenosine 5'-monophosphate; AuNPs, Au nanoparticles) metal-organic framework (MOF) nanostructures were synthesized by encapsulating BSA-AuNPs into Tb-AMP MOFs for the detection of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA) and Hg²⁺ . DPA could strongly co-ordinate with Tb³⁺ to replace water molecules from the Tb³⁺ center and accordingly enhanced the fluorescence of Tb-AMP MOFs. The fluorescence of BSA-AuNPs at 405 nm remained constant. While the fluorescence of BSA-AuNPs at 635 nm was quenched after Hg²⁺ was added, the fluorescence of Tb-AMP MOFs remained constant. Accordingly, a ratiometric fluorescence nanosensor was constructed for detection of DPA and Hg²⁺ . The ratiometric nanosensor exhibited good selectivity to DPA over other substances. The F₅₄₅ /F₄₀₅ linearly increased with increase of DPA concentration in the range of 50 nM to 10 μM with a detection limit as low as 17.4 nM. F₆₃₅ /F₄₀₅ increased linearly with increase of Hg²⁺ concentration ranging from 50 nM to 1 μM with a detection limit as low as 20.9 nM. Additionally, the nanosensor could be successfully applied for the determination of DPA and Hg²⁺ in running water.

Artemisinin-Luminol Chemiluminescence for Forensic Bloodstain Detection Using a Smart Phone as a Detector

Forensic luminol chemiluminescence test is one of the most sensitive and popular methods for the determination of latent bloodstains. It mainly uses hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate as coreactants. The easy decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate in the presence of many ions significantly affects the selectivity. Artemisinin is a natural peroxide that is quite stable in the presence of common ions. In the present study, artemisinin has been exploited for the forensic bloodstain chemiluminescence detection for the first time. Using smart phone as cost-effective portable detector, the visual detection of bloodstains has been achieved with a dilution factor of blood up to 100 000. Moreover, this system shows excellent selectivity against many common species. It can well differentiate bloodstains from other stains, such as coffee, brown sugar, and black tea. Both favorable sensitivity and selectivity makes the present method promising in forensic detection.

Green, Rapid, and Universal Preparation Approach of Graphene Quantum Dots under Ultraviolet Irradiation

It is of great significance and importance to explore a mild, clean, and highly efficient universal approach for the synthesis of graphene quantum dots. Herein, we introduced a new green, rapid, and universal preparation approach for graphene quantum dots via the free-radical polymerization of oxygen-containing aromatic compounds under ultraviolet irradiation. This approach had a high yield (86%), and the byproducts are only H₂O and CO₂. The obtained graphene quantum dots were well-crystallized and showed remarkable optical and biological properties. The colorful, different-sized graphene quantum dots can be used in fluorescent bioimaging in vitro and in vivo. This approach is suitable not only for the preparation of graphene quantum dots but also for heteroatom-doped graphene quantum dots.

Graphene quantum dots for detecting monomeric amyloid peptides

Detection of the concentration of amyloid monomers is of great importance in the diagnosis of amyloidogenesis. Herein, we propose a method to detect the concentration of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide monomers by utilizing the fluorescence characteristics of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The linear dependence of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of GQDs on the Aβ monomer concentration can be identified. It can be further illustrated that both monomeric and fibrillar Aβ peptides can be monitored by using GQDs. Conventional fluorescent dyes, such as thioflavin T (ThT), usually undergo co-incubation with amyloid peptides, which could lead to disturbance of the aggregation because of their inhibitory effect. Similar Aβ aggregation dynamics observed by using GQDs and ThT demonstrated the feasibility of the GQD-based detection method without co-incubation with soluble amyloid peptide monomers. The utilization of GQDs as a novel probe monitoring amyloid monomers could be applied in pathological detection and diagnosis of degenerative diseases and other conformational disorders.

Aggregation Kinetics and Self-Assembly Mechanisms of Graphene Quantum Dots in Aqueous Solutions: Cooperative Effects of pH and Electrolytes

The cooperative effects of pH and electrolytes on the aggregation of GQDs and the aggregate morphologies are characterized. Because GQDs have an average size of 9 nm with abundant O-functionalized edges, their suspension was very stable even in a high electrolyte concentration and low pH solution. Divalent cations (Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) excelled at aggregating the GQD nanoplates, while monovalent cations (Na⁺ and K⁺) did not disturb the stability. For Na⁺ and K⁺, positive linear correlations were observed between the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) and pH levels. For Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺, negative, but nonlinear, correlations between CCC and pH values could not be explained and predicted by the traditional DLVO theory. Three-step mechanisms are proposed for the first time to elucidate the complex aggregation of GQDs. The first step is the protonation/deprotonation of GQDs under different pH values and the self-assembly of GQDs into GQD-water-GQD. The second step is the self-assembly of small GQD pieces into large plates (graphene oxide-like) induced by the coexisting Ca²⁺ and then conversion into 3D structures via π-π stacking. The third step is the aggregation of the 3D-assembled GQDs into precipitates via the suppression of the electric double layer. The self-assembly of GQDs prior to aggregation was supported by SEM and HRTEM imaging. Understanding of the colloidal behavior of ultrasmall nanoparticles like GQDs is significantly important for the precise prediction of their environmental fate and risk.

Recent advances in nanomaterials for water protection and monitoring

Nanomaterials (NMs) for adsorption, catalysis, separation, and disinfection are scrutinized. NMs-based sensor technologies and environmental transformations of NMs are highlighted.

Fluorescent carbon dots with tunable emission by dopamine for sensing of intracellular pH, elementary arithmetic operations and a living cell imaging based INHIBIT logic gate

Luminescent carbon dots with tunable emission were prepared by the pyrolysis of citric acid and dopamine for sensing of intracellular pH, elementary arithmetic operations and a living cell imaging based INHIBIT logic gate.

Highly fluorescent nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots as a green, economical and facile sensor for the determination of sunitinib in real samples

The preparation of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs), by a simple and inexpensive synthetic procedure, is reported with blue emission and a high quantum yield of 78%.

Yellow-Emitting Carbon Nanodots and Their Flexible and Transparent Films for White LEDs

We report carbon nanodots that can be utilized as effective color converting phosphors for the production of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Blue-excitable and yellow-emitting carbon nanodots, functionalized with 3-(imidazolidin-2-on-1-yl)propylmethyldimethoxysilane (IPMDS)-derived moieties (IS-CDs), are synthesized by a novel one-pot reaction in which the products from the initial reaction occurring between urea and 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propylmethyl-dimethoxysilane (AEPMDS) are further treated with citric acid. Distinctive from the majority of carbon nanodots reported previously, IS-CDs emit at 560 nm, under 460 nm excitation, with a quantum yield of 44%. Preliminary toxicity studies, assessed by the Artemia franciscana nauplii (brine shrimp larvae) bioassay, indicate that IS-CDs are largely nontoxic. Furthermore, the IS-CDs form flexible and transparent films without the need of encapsulating agents, and the solid films retain the optical properties of solvated IS-CDs. These features indicate an immense potential for the IS-CDs as an environmental-friendly, blue-excitable carbon nanodot-based phosphor in solid-state lighting devices.

Cerium(III) Ion Sensing Based on Graphene Quantum Dots Fluorescent Turn-Off

In this work, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was synthesized through hydrothermal method and used as a photoluminescent bulk nano-chemosensor for detection of Ce³⁺ ion in the aqueous solution. The synthesized GQD was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Visible absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The sheet diameters of the synthesized GQDs were mainly distributed in the range of 15-20 nm. The interactions of GQDs with common cations and lanthanide ions were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. Among the tested cations, Ce³⁺ ions was able to quench the fluorescence emission intensity of the GQD selectively. This quenching can be attributed to a redox mechanism between Ce³⁺ ion on the GQDs surface.

A new turn-off fluorescence probe based on graphene quantum dots for detection of Au(III) ion

In this work, a new turn-off fluorescence probe based on the graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was designed for detection and quantification of Au(III) ion. GQDs were prepared by two simple carbonization methods using glucose (g-GQDs) and citric acid (c-GQDs) as carbon sources. The effect of some metal ions on the fluorescence intensity of the prepared GQDs was studied. It was found that the fluorescence of both GQDs is significantly quenched by Au(III) ions but the sensitivity and analytical performances are different for two prepared GQDs. Using g-GQDs, a new analytical method was developed for the determination of Au(III) in the concentration range of 1.0-80 μM, with a detection limit of 0.5 μM. The developed method was applied to the determination of Au(III) in water and plasma samples with satisfactory results.

Fluorometric detection of tyrosine and cysteine using graphene quantum dots

A facile fluorescence method has been developed for the detection of tyrosine and cysteine based on graphene quantum dots as a sensitive probe.

A novel fluorescence assay for inorganic pyrophosphatase based on modulated aggregation of graphene quantum dots

A simple and highly sensitive fluorometric method has been developed for inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase) activity detection based on the disaggregation and aggregation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs).

The toxicity of graphene quantum dots

This review provides a comprehensive account on the current research status regarding the toxicity of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) – a new nano material with profound potential in various advanced applications.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical cytosensing of fibroblast-like synoviocyte cells based on visible light-activated ox-GQDs and carboxylated g-C3N4 sensitized TiO2 nanorods

Scheme A: Schematic illustration of the PEC cytosensor fabrication process, B: schematic illustration of the energy level diagram.

Graphene quantum dots as selective fluorescence sensor for the detection of ascorbic acid and acid phosphatase via Cr(vi)/Cr(iii)-modulated redox reaction

A facile and rapid fluorescence assay based on a redox reaction for successively detecting ascorbic acid and acid phosphatase was developedviaCr(vi)-modulated graphene quantum dots (GQDs).

Luminescent ZnO quantum dots as an efficient sensor for free chlorine detection in water

Highly luminescent ZnO quantum dots (QDs) synthesizedviaa simple and facile route are used for the preparation of an optical sensor for the detection of free chlorine.

Complexation and intercalation modes: a novel interaction of DNA and graphene quantum dots

The interaction of DNA and the large planar structures of graphene quantum dots is investigated by absorption spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and melting temperature.

Large scale production of graphene quantum dots through the reaction of graphene oxide with sodium hypochlorite

A facile method to produce graphene quantum dots on a large scale was introduced with the usage of oxygen radicals under UV irradiation.

A fluorometric assay platform for caffeic acid detection based on the G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme

A fluorometric assay platform based on GQDs is designed for biochemical detection of caffeic acid.

Chemical Cleavage of Layered Carbon Nitride with Enhanced Photoluminescent Performances and Photoconduction

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and carbon dots (C-dots) have various alluring properties and potential applications, but they are often limited by unsatisfied optical performance such as low quantum yield, ambiguous fluorescence emission mechanism, and narrow emission wavelength. Herein, we report that bulk polymeric carbon nitride could be utilized as a layered precursor to prepare carbon nitride nanostructures such as nanorods, nanoleaves and quantum dots by chemical tailoring. As doped carbon materials, these carbon nitride nanostructures not only intrinsically emitted UV lights but also well inherited the explicit photoluminescence mechanism of the bulk pristine precursor, both of which were rarely reported for GQDs and C-dots. Especially, carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) had a photoluminescence quantum yield (QY) up to 46%, among the highest QY for metal-free quantum dots so far. As examples, the CNQDs were utilized as a photoluminescence probe for rapid detection of Fe(3+) with a detection limit of 1 μM in 2 min and a photoconductor in an all-solid-state device. This work would open up an avenue for doped nanocarbon in developing photoelectrical devices and sensors.

Polyaniline/graphene quantum dot-modified screen-printed carbon electrode for the rapid determination of Cr(VI) using stopped-flow analysis coupled with voltammetric technique

Polyaniline/graphene quantum dots (PANI/GQDs) were used to modify a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) in a flow-based system. A method for rapidly determining the Cr(VI) concentrations by using stopped-flow analysis has been developed using an Auto-Pret system coupled with linear-sweep voltammetry using the PANI/GQD-modified SPCE. The GQDs, synthesized in a botton-up manner from citric acid, were mixed with aniline monomer in an optimized ratio. The mixture was injected into an electrochemical flow cell in which electro-polymerization of the aniline monomer occurred. Under conditions optimized for determining Cr(VI), wide linearity was obtained in the range of 0.1-10 mg L(-1), with a detection limit of 0.097 mg L(-1). For a sample volume of 0.5 m L, the modified SPCE can be used continuously with a sample-throughput of more than 90 samples per hour. In addition, this proposed method was successfully applied to mineral water samples with acceptable accuracy, and the quantitative agreement was accomplished in deteriorated Cr-plating solutions with a standard traditional method for Cr(VI) detection.

Modification of Structural and Luminescence Properties of Graphene Quantum Dots by Gamma Irradiation and Their Application in a Photodynamic Therapy

Herein, the ability of gamma irradiation to enhance the photoluminescence properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was investigated. Different doses of γ-irradiation were used on GQDs to examine the way in which their structure and optical properties can be affected. The photoluminescence quantum yield was increased six times for the GQDs irradiated with high doses compared to the nonirradiated material. Both photoluminescence lifetime and values of optical band gap were increased with the dose of applied gamma irradiation. In addition, the exploitation of the gamma-irradiated GQDs as photosensitizers was examined by monitoring the production of singlet oxygen under UV illumination. The main outcome was that the GQDs irradiated at lower doses act as better photoproducers than the ones irradiated at higher doses. These results corroborate that the structural changes caused by gamma irradiation have a direct impact on GQD ability to produce singlet oxygen and their photostability under prolonged UV illumination. This makes low-dose irradiated GQDs promising candidates for photodynamic therapy.