Nitrogen and Sulfur Co-doped Fluorescent Carbon Dots for the Detection of Morin and Cell Imaging

A fluorometric and colorimetric dual-readout nanoprobe based on Cl and N co-doped carbon quantum dots with large stokes shift for sequential detection of morin and zinc ion

A novel visual nanoprobe was developed for the sequential detection of morin and zinc ion (Zn²⁺) based on Cl and N co-doped carbon quantum dots (ClNCQDs) via a fluorometric and colorimetric dual-readout mode. The yellow fluorescence ClNCQDs was synthesized by the one-step hydrothermal treatment of o-chlorobenzoic acid and p-phenylenediamine. The most distinctive property of the ClNCQDs is the large stokes shift (177 nm), which is significantly higher than other reported CQDs. The fluorescence of the ClNCQDs can be effectively quenched by morin based on the synergistic effect of IFE, electrostatic interaction, and dynamic quenching process, and recovered upon the addition of Zn²⁺ due to strong interaction between morin and Zn²⁺. The nanoprobe exhibited favorable selectivity and sensitivity toward morin and Zn²⁺ with detection limits of 0.09 µM and 0.17 µM, respectively. Simultaneously, the color of the ClNCQDs solution was changed (light-pink → faint-yellow → dark-yellow) along with the variation of the fluorescence signal of the ClNCQDs. This proposed nanoprobe was successfully applied for morin and Zn²⁺ analyses in actual samples and live cells with high accuracy. The results of this study demonstrate the great application prospects of the ClNCQDs for morin and Zn²⁺ detection in complex actual samples and biosystems.

Unique Host Matrix to Disperse Pd Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Sensing of Morin: Sustainable Engineering Approach

Biomass-based carbon nanospheres derived from Mimosa pudica (commonly called "Touch-me-not") smeared on carbon fiber paper have been used as a host matrix for electrochemical deposition of palladium nanoparticles. The physicochemical characterization of modified electrodes was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to study the electroanalytical properties of the electrodes. The modified electrode demostrated an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of a flavonoid, morin, which gave a sensitive anodic peak at -0.30 V (vs SCE). An ultralow-level detection limit of 572 fM with a linear dynamic range of 37.50-130 pM was achieved. The proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully employed for the analysis of morin in mulberry and guava leaves. This is a sustainable engineering approach where a perfect unique host matrix is created using carbon nanospheres from biomass.