A carbon dots–based nanoprobe for intracellular Fe3+ detection

Carbon dots (CDs) were prepared from gallic acid and polyene polyamine (PEPA) via a solvothermal method. The as-synthesized CDs are well monodispersed in water with a uniform size (20–30 nm). CDs exhibit excitation wavelength–dependent and concentration-dependent optical behaviors and possess excellent hydrophilicity and good biocompatibility. More importantly, the as-synthesized CDs could act as an excellent nanoprobe for sensing Fe3+ in living cells.