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Highly selective photoelectrochemical sensing platform based on upconversion nanoparticles and quantum dots for sensitive detection of Cu2+

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Abstract

The photoelectrochemical (PEC) detection method, as a potential strategy for Cu2+ detection, has garnered widespread attention. In this paper, we present a PEC sensing platform using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as the conversion light source and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) as the photoactive material for the detection of Cu2+ in solution. When irradiated with a 980 nm light source, the UCNPs will absorb the 980 nm laser and emit fluorescence around 550 nm, which is then absorbed by the CdTe QDs. This absorption leads to electron-hole separation, with electrons transferring through the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. In the presence of Cu2+, the Cu2+ will be reduced to Cu+ by the electrons generated by the CdTe QDs, thereby hindering the transfer of electrons from the CdTe QDs to the ITO electrode and resulting in a reduction in current. The photocurrent continuously decreases with increasing Cu2+ concentration and shows a good linear relationship with Cu2+ concentration in the range of 1 µM to 25 µM. The lowest detection limit is 0.5 µM.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 82160729). the Natural Science Foundation of JiangXi Province (20212ACB206005,20192BAB205103,20202BABL206152). Science and technology project of Education Department of JiangXi Province (GJJ2200974,GJJ2200906). the doctoral research Foundation project of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2022WBZR005). Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine (S202210412040,X20231041215,202110412164). Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine School-level Science and Technology Innovation Team Development Program(CXTD22005). Jiangxi Province Graduate Innovation Special Fund Project (YC2023-S790).

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Author notes

  1. Xiaocui Yin and Fusheng Liao contributed equally to this paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. JiangXi University of Chinese Medicine, Nan Chang, JiangXi, 330004, China

    Xiaocui Yin, Fusheng Liao, Qiqi Fan, Qian Long, Jing Zhang, Hao Fan, Wei Xiong, Hedong Jiang, Wenming Liu, Hanfeng Cui, Qiangqiang Yu & Guobing Wei

  2. JiangXi Province Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nan Chang, JiangXi, 330004, China

    Xia Yin

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  1. Xiaocui Yin
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Contributions

Xiaocui Yin: Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review and editing. Fusheng Liao: Methodology, Formal analysis. Xia Yin: roject administration. Qian Long: Software. Jing Zhang: Investigation. Hao Fan: Conceptualization. Wei Xiong: Software. Hedong Jiang: Methodology, Investigation. Wenming Liu: Supervision. Qiangqiang Yu: Methodology, Investigation. Guobing Wei: Supervision. Hanfeng Cui: Conceptualization, Supervision, Validation.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hanfeng Cui, Qiangqiang Yu or Guobing Wei.

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Yin, X., Liao, F., Yin, X. et al. Highly selective photoelectrochemical sensing platform based on upconversion nanoparticles and quantum dots for sensitive detection of Cu2+. J Solid State Electrochem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-024-05896-5

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