Cyan-emitting silicon quantum dots as a fluorescent probe directly used for highly sensitive and selective detection of chlorogenic acid

As an important bioactive component in plants, chlorogenic acid (CGA) has been widely studied for its potential role in human health. In this work, cyan fluorescent silicon quantum dots were successfully synthesized via a simple one-pot method for the rapid detection of CGA. The optimal excitation and emission wavelength of the obtained SiQDs was 350 nm and 470 nm, respectively. When the CGA was added, the maximum emission intensity of the SiQDs can be effectively quenched due to dynamic and static mixed quenching mechanisms. More significantly, there was a remarkable linear correlation between fluorescence quenching efficiency and a broad concentration of CGA solution range from 10 to 150 μmol/L with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.43 μmol/L. Furthermore, the proposed SiQDs were successfully applied to analyze CGA in coffee beans and instant coffee after simple pretreatment with satisfactory results. Based on these, a high sensitivity and excellent selectivity fluorescent probe detection system was constructed, and it provides a valuable platform for the detection of CGA and has broad application prospects in the biological and pharmaceutical analysis field.