ZnTe quantum dots as fluorescence sensors for the detection of iron ions

Colloidal mercaptoacetic acid capped ZnTe quantum dots (QDs) are prepared to target iron ions as a fluorescence sensor. The results show that the obtained QDs present excellent selectivity for the detection of Fe 3+ and display a good linearity from 2.0 × 10 − 6 to 1.0 × 10 − 4  mol L − 1 . The optimum fluorescence intensity for detecting Fe 3+ is found in a buffer (pH 7.0) at 25 °C. The detection limitation of Fe 3+ ions is 4.89 × 10 − 6  mol L − 1 under optimized conditions. The quenching rate constant K q (1.24 × 10 13  L mol − 1  s − 1 ) is calculated and confirmed to describe a static quenching procedure. Moreover, the obtained probes are used to detect Fe 3+ ions in lake water samples, showing perspectives of environmental determination for future research.