Graphene-quantum-dots-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for visual detection of copper ion

Abstract

A novel dual-photoluminescence probe for Cu²⁺ has been developed, in which the graphene quantum dots with blue emission and CdTe QDs with yellow emission act as internal standard and probe, respectively. The photoluminescence probe exhibited selective sensing for Cu²⁺ with a limit of detection (3SD/k) of 5.3 × 10⁻⁸ M and showed its potential application in visual imaging. The results indicated that the constructed probe can be employed for sensing Cu²⁺ by the naked eye, and also for monitoring intracellular Cu²⁺.