One-pot synthesized nitrogen-fluorine-codoped carbon quantum dots for ClO- ions detection in water samples

Hypochlorous acid has been used widely as a disinfectant in industrial and home applications, but numerous experiments suggest that excessive use of hypochlorous acid can lead to a variety of human diseases. However, an effective alternative method to detect ClO(- )ions with high selectivity and sensitivity does not yet exist. Herein, nitrogen-fluorine-codoped carbon quantum dots (NFCDs) were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method. They displayed an excitation peak at 465 nm and a strong emission peak at 506 nm and their fluorescence demonstrated excellent stability in NaCl aqueous solution or the solution with varied pH values. The NFCDs were successfully used as fluorescent probes for ClO- detection. The fluorescence intensity of NFCDs could be quenched by ClO- very quickly (<1 min), and a linear response of the fluorescence intensity on the ClO- concentration was obtained. The linear detection range was from 0 to 20 mu M, and the limit of detection was as low as 12.0 nM, indicating high sensitivity. Furthermore, the NFCDs displayed excellent selectivity and anti-interference. This novel synthesis and detection has potential to be applied to determinate the dissolved ClO- in water samples with a satisfactory recovery rate.