Perovskite quantum dots encapsulated in electrospun fiber membranes as multifunctional supersensitive sensors for biomolecules, metal ions and pH

Abstract

CsPbBr₃ perovskite quantum dots (CPBQDs) have exhibited excellent optical properties, which implies their potential as an appealing candidate for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based detection. In this work, in order to enhance the subsurface concentration of CPBQDs, which is important for the efficiency of FRET detection, a nanoscale polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) fiber membrane (d ≈ 400 nm) encapsulated with CPBQDs (CPBQDs/PMMA FM) is fabricated using an electrospinning method. The CPBQD/PMMA FM possesses comparable optical properties to CPBQDs, high quantum yields (88%) and a narrow half-peak width (∼14 nm). The sensing of trypsin is realized via the cleavage of peptide CF6 (Cys–Pro–Arg–Gly–R6G) and an extremely low detection limit of 0.1 μg mL⁻¹ has been reached. Besides, owing to the high efficiency FRET process between the CPBQD/PMMA FM and cyclam–Cu²⁺, an unprecedented detection limit of Cu²⁺ has been pushed to 10⁻¹⁵ M. Furthermore, the pH value can be confirmed by the membrane in 10 ppb hydrazide R6G ethanol solution. The excellent optical characteristics of CPBQDs, high CPBQD subsurface concentration of the CPBQD/PMMA FM and robust durability of the PMMA coating all contribute to the outstanding sensitivity and stable detection performance of the CPBQD/PMMA FM.