Ratiometric fluorescence detection of anthrax biomarker based on terbium (III) functionalized graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets

Detection of anthrax biomarker dipicolinic acid (DPA) is of great importance upon the crisis of bioterrorism. Development of fluorescent materials for DPA detection, particularly one that fully depends on single luminescent response, faces the challenge of being susceptible to interferences. The accompanying accuracy problems offer great opportunities for the establishment of more reliable ratiometric analysis method. Herein, a ratiometric fluorescent probe based on terbium functionalized graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (Tb-g-C 3 N 4 NS) is attempted for quantitative detection of DPA to address the distinct function of g-C 3 N 4 NS as both carrier and reference fluorophore, which is a so-far unexplored option in fluorescent detection approaches. We achieve the incorporation of Tb 3+ into framework of g-C 3 N 4 NS by using a simple synthetic strategy comprised of thermal pyrolysis and ultrasonic exfoliation. Combining the reference signal over g-C 3 N 4 NS at 440 nm (I 440 ) with the response signal of Tb 3+ at 546 nm (I 546 ), concentration of DPA can be easily calculated via its linear correlation with the intensity ratio (I 546 /I 440 ), giving a precise measurement towards DPA with a detection limit as low as 9.9 nM. Besides enabling an excellent self-calibrating detection of DPA, this work also inspires broader use of g-C 3 N 4 NS for relevant process.