Construction of optical dual-mode sensing platform based on green emissive carbon quantum dots for effective detection of ClO- and cellular imaging

Hypochlorite (ClO - ) is an important redox regulator in reactive oxygen species, which play a considerable role in oxidative stress and related diseases. Hence, accurate and sensitive monitoring of ClO - concentration was urgently needed in the fields of life sciences, food and environment. Bright green fluorescent carbon quantum dots (G-CQDs) were synthesized utilizing one-step hydrothermal method with citric acid and acriflavine precursors. Through TEM, FTIR, XPS and zeta potential characterization procedures, G-CQDs illustrated uniformly dispersed and significant number of –NH 2 and –OH on the surface. Meanwhile, the fluorescence and colorimetric analysis exhibited wide linear range and low detection limit response to ClO - . The fluorescence changes of G-CQDs were identified via smartphone to realize mobile sensing of ClO - . Subsequently, G-CQDs was applied for visualization and quantitative detection of ClO - in drinking water samples with satisfactory recovery rate. More importantly, G-CQDs demonstrated good water solubility, optical stability and excellent biocompatibility, which offered a promising analysis approach in cell imaging and exogenous ClO - detection in living cells. G-CQDs illustrated bright prospect and great potential in practical application of ClO - associated disease prevention and early clinical diagnosis.