A ratiometric fluorescent sensor based on S-doped BCNO quantum dots and Au nanoclusters combined with 3D-printing portable device for the detection of malachite green

Sulfur-doped BCNO quantum dots (S-BCNO QDs) emitting green fluorescence were prepared by elemental doping method. The ratiometric fluorescence probe with dual emissions was simply established by mixed S-BCNO QDs with gold nanoclusters (GSH-Au NCs). Because the emission spectrum of Au NCs (donor) at 615 nm overlapped well with the ultraviolet absorption of malachite green (MG), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) can be achieved. When the concentration of MG increased, the fluorescence intensity ( F 495 ) of S-BCNO QDs decreased slowly, while the fluorescence intensity ( F 615 ) of Au NCs decreased sharply. The fluorescence intensity ratio of F 615 / F 495 decreased with the increase of MG. By plotting the F 615 / F 495 values against MG concentration, a sensitive and rapid detection of MG was possible with a wide detection range (0.1–50 µM) and a low detection limit of 10 nM. Due to the accompanying fluorescence color change from pink to blue-green, it can be used for visual detection. A three dimensional-printing device utilizing digital image colorimetry to capture color changes through the built-in camera, enables quantitative detection of MG with a good linearity between the values of red/green ratio and MG concentrations at the range 1–50 µM. This sensing platform had a range of advantages, including high cost-effectiveness, portability, ease of operation, and high sensitivity. Furthermore, the sensing platform was successfully applied to the detection of MG in real water sample and fish samples, thereby verifying the reliability and effectiveness of this sensing platform in water quality monitoring and food safety. Graphical Abstract