MPA-CdTe quantum dots as “on-off-on” sensitive fluorescence probe to detect ascorbic acid via redox reaction

Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped CdTe quantum dots (MPA-CdTe QDs) were synthesized in aqueous medium by hydrothermal method , which modified by Fe 3+ could be used as a fluorescent probe to detect ascorbic acid (AA). MPA-CdTe QDs fluorescence probe could be used as successive sensor for metal ions and AA with “on-off-on” process. The fluorescence of QDs was quenched after adding Fe 3+ to MPA-CdTe QDs. Then, the fluorescence of the Fe 3+ @MPA-CdTe QDs can be sensitively turned on by AA to give an “on–off–on” fluorescence response according to the oxidation–reduction between Fe 3+ and AA. There was a linear relationship between fluorescence intensity quenching value and the concentration of Fe 3+ in the range of 2–10 μM since Fe 3+ sensitively reacted with CdTe QDs. The linear detection range for AA was 0.1–1 μM with a limit of detection of 6.6 nM. The principle is proved by fluorescence emission spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The proposed method is successfully used to detect the AA in human plasma sample.