Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
Anal Bioanal Chem. 2021 Jun;413(15):3965-3974. doi: 10.1007/s00216-021-03348-x. Epub 2021 Apr 28.
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are drawing tremendous attention due to their unique photoluminescence property and fascinating functions. Herein, we prepared novel CQDs functionalized with amino acids (AA-CQDs) by a one-pot hydrothermal method for selective detection of Al ions and fluorescence imaging. The prepared AA-CQDs exhibit a novel triple-excitation and single-colour emission for fluorescent property. In addition, the AA-CQDs have a high absolute quantum yield (24.23%) and quantum lifetime (13.29 ns). Moreover, the AA-CQDs exhibit high selectivity and sensitivity for Al by fluorescence enhancement. In pH 7.4 PBS solution, there was a good linear relation between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of Al in the range of 1-20 μmol L; the limit of detection (3σ) was only 0.32 μmol L. Furthermore, an AA-CQD probe was also utilized for detection of Al in living cells based on excellent biocompatibility and endocytosis. Based on the concentration of Al ions in cells and apoptosis data, there will be a quick reflect of apoptosis induced by aluminium ions via the fluorescence intensity of the AA-CQD probe. This work will set the stage for developing novel CQD-based biosensors in cell research.
碳量子点（CQDs）因其独特的光致发光特性和迷人的功能而备受关注。本文通过一锅水热法制备了新型氨基酸功能化碳量子点（AA-CQDs），用于选择性检测 Al 离子和荧光成像。所制备的 AA-CQDs 表现出新颖的三重激发和单波长发射的荧光特性。此外，AA-CQDs 具有高的绝对量子产率（24.23%）和量子寿命（13.29 ns）。此外，AA-CQDs 通过荧光增强对 Al 表现出高选择性和高灵敏度。在 pH 7.4 PBS 溶液中，荧光强度与 Al 浓度在 1-20 μmol·L 范围内呈良好的线性关系；检测限（3σ）仅为 0.32 μmol·L。此外，还基于优异的生物相容性和内吞作用，利用 AA-CQD 探针用于活细胞中 Al 的检测。基于细胞内 Al 离子的浓度和细胞凋亡数据，通过 AA-CQD 探针的荧光强度可以快速反映铝离子诱导的细胞凋亡。这项工作将为开发基于新型 CQD 的细胞研究生物传感器奠定基础。
