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A regenerable fluorescent quantum dot based nanoprobe for zinc(II), and the design of a molecular logic gate

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Abstract

We report on a simple, sensitive and regenerable fluorescent nanoprobe for Zn(II) ion. It is based on the use of glutathione capped CdTe quantum dots (GSH-CdTe Q-dots). The bright fluorescence of these Q-dots is quenched on addition of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) due to the binding of DTPA to GSH. If, however, Zn(II) is added, it will bind DTPA and detach it from the surface of the Q-dots, this resulting in the fluorescence recovery. Under optimum conditions, the intensity of the restored fluorescence is proportional to the concentration of Zn(II) in the 0.48 to 90 μmol · L−1 range, with a limit of detection of 0.14 μmol · L−1. The nanoprobe was applied to the determination of Zn(II) in spiked tap water and river water and gave satisfactory results. The findings were also applied to design a molecular logic gate where DTPA acts as the first input to the system by quenching the fluorescence of the GSH-CdTe Q-dots. Zn(II) acts as the second input and causes the detachment of DTPA from the Q-dots and a restoration of fluorescence. This system therefore represents a new IMP (IMPLICATION) logic gate.

We describe a fluorescent nanoprobe for Zn(II) based on quantum dots, and its use in an IMP molecular logic gate. The nanoprobe was successfully applied to the determination of Zn(II) in spiked tap water and river water.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory on Luminescence and Real-Time Analysis, Southwest University (CSTC, 2006CA8006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory on Luminescence and Real-Time Analysis, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People’s Republic of China

    Chenxia Hao, Shaopu Liu, Wanjun Liang, Dan Li, Linlin Wang & Youqiu He

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  1. Chenxia Hao
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  2. Shaopu Liu
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  3. Wanjun Liang
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  4. Dan Li
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  5. Linlin Wang
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Correspondence to Youqiu He.

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Hao, C., Liu, S., Liang, W. et al. A regenerable fluorescent quantum dot based nanoprobe for zinc(II), and the design of a molecular logic gate. Microchim Acta 182, 2009–2017 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-015-1543-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-015-1543-3

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