Biocompatible double emission boron nitrogen co-doped carbon quantum dots for selective and sensitive detection of Al3+ and Fe2+

In this work, dual-emission boron-nitrogen co-doped carbon quantum dots (B,N-CQDs) were synthesized by a micro-solvothermal method, and the prepared B,N-CQDs were used to detect Al3+ and Fe2+. The doping of B elements changed the microstructure of CQDs and endowed them with a dual emission property (F430 and F500). The detection basis of Al3+ and Fe2+ with the B,N-CQDs were attributed to the reverse changes of double emission peaks( F430 and F500 ) and fluorescence intensity changes of B,N-CQDs, respectively. Besides, the limit of detection (LOD) of Al3+ and Fe2+as low as 0.187 μM and 0.276 μM, respectively. In addition, B,N-CQDs were loaded onto filter paper to prepare a paper-based sensor for the detection of Al3+ with the feature of being more portable and practical. Meanwhile, B,N-CQDs presented outstanding performance in the detection of Al3+ in tap water and Fe content in ferrous sulfate tablets.