Dual emission N-doped carbon dots as a ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric dual-signal probe for indigo carmine detection

Novel dual-emission fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method using ascorbic acid and rhodamine B as precursors and melamine as nitrogen source. The obtained N-CDs exhibited dual-emitting peaks at 435 nm and 578 nm under the single excitation of 350 nm. The fluorescence at 578 nm was more effectively quenched by indigo carmine (IC) based on the internal filtration effect and aggregation-induced emission quenching. Meanwhile, the apparent color change of N-CDs from pink to blue-purple after adding various concentrations of IC could be clearly observed with the naked eye. Therefore, a ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric dual-signal probe based on N-CDs was developed for IC detection with high selectivity and sensitivity. The addition of IC caused the ratiometric fluorescent value (F435/F578) to increase linearly within the range from 0 to100 µM with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.18 µM and the colorimetric signal presented a linear response in the range of 0–133 µM with a LOD of 57.4 nM. Furthermore, the IC in juice drink, candy, and water was successfully detected. Besides, the N-CDs were also designed as a ratiometric temperature probe, and the ratiometric fluorescence signal (F435/F578) was linearly and reversibly responsive to temperature in the range of 20–75 °C.