A novel dual response ratiometric fluorescent probe for the determination of H2O2 and glucose via etching of silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Based on the inner filter effect and charge transfer dual response mechanism, a dual response ratiometric fluorescent probe (D-RFP) with two reversible signal changes for sensing H₂O₂ and glucose was developed. The D-RFP was proposed by embedding glycine-derived carbon dots (CDs) (λ_em = 400 nm) into silica nanoparticles and covalently linking CdTe quantum dots (QDs) (λ_em = 600 nm) onto the surface of silica nanoparticles. When silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were mixed with D-RFP, the fluorescence intensity of CDs can be quenched by Ag NPs via the inner filter effect. With the addition of H₂O₂, Ag NPs were etched to silver ions, thus recovering the fluorescence of CDs. In the meantime, fluorescence of QDs was quenched by Ag⁺via charge transfer. Under optimal conditions, D-RFP displayed high sensitivity toward H₂O₂ with a detection limit of 0.28 μM. Based on the conversion of glucose into H₂O₂, D-RFP can also be exploited for glucose sensing with a detection limit of 0.59 μM. The approach developed can be applied to monitor glucose levels in human serum samples with satisfactory results, and the results of the heathy and diabetic patients can be distinguished by the naked eye. Moreover, this method provides a new idea for designing a high-sensitivity D-RFP.