Synthesis of novel quantum dots from DNA under mild conditions and their use as a fluorescent probe for the detection of Fe3+ and in biological imaging

Abstract

A simple method for the synthesis of water-soluble and well-dispersed fluorescent DNA-dots under mild conditions is reported. The solution of DNA-dots shows blue fluorescence and the luminescence lifetime equals 2.74 ns, with a quantum yield up to 7.5%. It is attractive that DNA-dots can be used as an effective fluorescent probe for the detection of iron ions with relatively good selectivity and sensitivity in an aqueous solution as well as in biological imaging applications.