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Alginate capped and manganese doped ZnS quantum dots as a phosphorescent probe for time-resolved detection of copper(II)

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Abstract

A method is described for the detection of Cu(II). It is based on the use of a room-temperature phosphorescent probe consisting of alginate-capped and manganese(II)-doped ZnS quantum dots. The carboxy groups at the surface of the probe strongly coordinate Cu(II) to form a complex. As a result, the 4T1-6A1 transition of the Mn(II) ions in the probe is quenched, and the long decay time (~2.1 ms in the unquenched state) is accordingly reduced. At excitation/emission wavelengths of 316/590 nm and a delay time of 0.1 ms, the probe shows a linear response in the 0.01 to 12 μM Cu(II) concentration range. The detection limit is 6.0 nM and the RSD is 3.2% (for n = 5).

A two-step procedure is described to synthesize alginate capped manganese doped ZnS QDs. These coordinate with Cu(II) to form an absorbent complex and can be used as a phosphorescent probe for time-resolved detection of Cu(II).

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (21506002, 41673131). The authors also thanked Anhui key project of research and development plan (1704a0902006), major science and technology project of Anhui Province (17030801028) and major project of Department of Education of Anhui province (KJ2018A0513) for financial supports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anhui Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Wastewater Reuse, and Key Laboratory of Functional Molecule Design and Interface Process, Anhui Jianzhu University, 292 Ziyun Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of China

    Wen-Sheng Zou, Ming-Yue Deng, Ya-Qin Wang, Wei-Hua Li & Xian-Huai Huang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China

    Xiaoli Zhao

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  1. Wen-Sheng Zou
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  2. Ming-Yue Deng
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Correspondence to Wen-Sheng Zou, Xiaoli Zhao or Wei-Hua Li.

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Zou, WS., Deng, MY., Wang, YQ. et al. Alginate capped and manganese doped ZnS quantum dots as a phosphorescent probe for time-resolved detection of copper(II). Microchim Acta 186, 41 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-3165-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-3165-z

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