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Fluorescence-detecting cationic surfactants using luminescent CdTe quantum dots as probes

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Abstract

A novel fluorescence quenching method for the determination of cationic surfactants (CS), specifically cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), has been developed using water-soluble luminescent CdTe quantum dots (QDs) modified with thioglycolic acid (TGA). The possible interference from heavy and transition metals (HTM) has been efficiently eliminated through simple sample treatment with mercapto cotton made in-house. Under optimum conditions, the extent of fluorescence quenching of CdTe QDs is linearly proportional to the concentration of CS from 2.0 × 10−7 to 7.0 × 10−6 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10−8 mol L−1. The relative standard deviation for 1.0 × 10−6 mol L−1 CTAB is 2.5% (n = 6). The proposed method exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity and furthermore avoided the use of toxic organic solvents and tedious solvent extraction procedures. It has been applied to the determination of trace CS in natural river water and commodity samples with satisfactory results.

Potential interference from heavy and transition metals is eliminated during photoluminescence detection of CS through simple sample pre-treatment with mercapto cotton

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Acknowledgements

The current investigations were financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.20575002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anhui Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China

    Xue-Lian Diao, Yun-Sheng Xia, Tian-Long Zhang, Yan Li & Chang-Qing Zhu

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  1. Xue-Lian Diao
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  2. Yun-Sheng Xia
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  3. Tian-Long Zhang
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  4. Yan Li
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  5. Chang-Qing Zhu
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Correspondence to Chang-Qing Zhu.

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Diao, XL., Xia, YS., Zhang, TL. et al. Fluorescence-detecting cationic surfactants using luminescent CdTe quantum dots as probes. Anal Bioanal Chem 388, 1191–1197 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-007-1319-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-007-1319-7

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