Boric Acid-Based Dual Modulation Photoluminescent Glucose Sensor Using Thioglycolic Acid-Capped CdTe Quantum Dots

Abstract Most luminescent glucose sensors based on the interaction of glucose with organic boric acids or borates. Herein, a new luminescent glucose sensor is designed using thioglycolic acid-capped CdTe quantum dots in the presence of cheap inorganic boric acid. Both peak position and intensities change upon the addition of glucose because of the interaction of boric acid with glucose and thioglycolic acid-capped CdTe quantum dots, which enables glucose detection by either color change or intensity change. The luminescent intensities change linearly with glucose concentrations in the ranges from 0.03 to 1 mM and 1–25 mM with a detection limit of 10 µM ( S / N  = 3). Moreover, glucose concentrations can be conveniently detected by color change in the range from 1 mM–25 mM. It displays a highly selective response to glucose over other interfering but biologically important saccharides, amino acids, and common ions. Graphical Abstract A thioglycolic acid-capped CdTe QD-based sensor can detect glucose with wide linear range by change in intensity or color in the presence of cheap inorganic boric acid.