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Highly crystalline graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots as a fluorescent probe for detection of Fe(III) via an innner filter effect

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Abstract

Bulk g-C3N4 was transformed into water-soluble graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-CNQDs) via a chemical oxidation and liquid exfoliation process. The g-CNQDs possess a size distribution ranging from 1 to 5 nm (centered at 3 nm), excellent crystallinity, and are water soluble. It is found that Fe(III) ions are adsorbed on the surface of the g-CNQDs via electrostatic interaction, and that the blue fluorescence of the g-CNQDs is reduced by Fe(III) via an inner filter effect. By using the g-CNQDs as a fluorescent probe, Fe(III) can be determined at excitation/emission wavelengths of 241/368 nm in spiked natural water samples within 1 min and with good selectivity over other ions. Response is linear in the 0.2–60 μmol·L−1 Fe(III) concentration range, and the detection limit is 23 nmol·L−1.

Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-CNQDs) emit blue fluorescence at an excitation wavelength of 241 nm. Fe(III) ions are quickly adsorbed on the g-CNQDs via electrostatic interaction, and fluorescence is quenched due to an inner filter effect.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21675077, and 21475055, S.X.L).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou, 363000, China

    Yuehai Li, Hui Yang, Ye Lin & Shunxing Li

  2. Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Zhangzhou, 363000, China

    Jiabai Cai, Fengjiao Liu, Huiwu Yu, Fan Lin & Shunxing Li

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  1. Yuehai Li
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  2. Jiabai Cai
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  3. Fengjiao Liu
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  7. Ye Lin
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Correspondence to Shunxing Li.

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Li, Y., Cai, J., Liu, F. et al. Highly crystalline graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots as a fluorescent probe for detection of Fe(III) via an innner filter effect. Microchim Acta 185, 134 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-017-2655-8

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