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Detection of Sn(II) ions via quenching of the fluorescence of carbon nanodots

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Abstract

We report that fluorescent carbon nanodots (C-dots) can act as an optical probe for quantifying Sn(II) ions in aqueous solution. C-dots are synthesized by carbonization and surface oxidation of preformed sago starch nanoparticles. Their fluorescence is significantly quenched by Sn(II) ions, and the effect can be used to determine Sn(II) ions. The highest fluorescence intensity is obtained at a concentration of 1.75 mM of C-dots in aqueous solution. The probe is highly selective and hardly interfered by other ions. The quenching mechanism appears to be predominantly of the static (rather than dynamic) type. Under optimum conditions, there is a linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and Sn(II) ions concentration up to 4 mM, and with a detection limit of 0.36 μM.

Highly fluorescent carbon nanodots (CDs) were synthesized from preformed starch nanoparticles via a green synthetic method. The potential application of these CDs as a sensing probe for Sn(II) ions were evaluated. Our studies showed that CDs are highly sensitive and selective towards Sn(II) detection in aqueous system.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), grant number: 01(17)746/2010(32) and MyBrain15 (MyMaster) program for graduate scholarship were gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Siti Nur Akmar Mohd Yazid, Suk Fun Chin & Suh Cem Pang

  2. Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, 93350, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Sing Muk Ng

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  1. Siti Nur Akmar Mohd Yazid
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  2. Suk Fun Chin
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  3. Suh Cem Pang
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  4. Sing Muk Ng
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Correspondence to Suk Fun Chin.

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Mohd Yazid, S.N.A., Chin, S.F., Pang, S.C. et al. Detection of Sn(II) ions via quenching of the fluorescence of carbon nanodots. Microchim Acta 180, 137–143 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-012-0908-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-012-0908-0

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