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Norepinephrine derived carbon dots for live-cell imaging and effective hemoglobin determination
Zhenzhen Lu1, Luke W Giles1, Rico F Tabor1
1School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. rico.tabor@monash.edu boonmian.teo@monash.edu.
Soft Matter
|July 1, 2021
Summary
Norepinephrine-derived carbon dots offer stable green fluorescence for live-cell imaging and hemoglobin detection. This novel material shows pH-dependent fluorescence and a sensitive method for blood analysis.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging as versatile fluorescent probes.
- Their stability and high quantum yields are advantageous for biological and analytical applications.
- Norepinephrine (NE) is a potential precursor for functional nanomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize norepinephrine-derived carbon dots (NE-CDs) via a hydrothermal method.
- To investigate the fluorescence properties and pH-dependent behavior of NE-CDs.
- To evaluate NE-CDs for live-cell imaging and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration determination.
Main Methods:
- One-step hydrothermal synthesis of NE-CDs.
- Characterization of NE-CDs' size, luminescence, and excitation/emission spectra.
- pH-dependent fluorescence studies.
- Live-cell imaging experiments.
- Hemoglobin detection using the inner filter effect (IFE).
Main Results:
- Fabricated 10 nm NE-CDs with green luminescence (emission at 520 nm, excitation at 420 nm).
- Observed pH- and concentration-dependent fluorescence, attributed to protonation/deprotonation of functional groups.
- Demonstrated NE-CDs' suitability for long-term, photostable live-cell imaging.
- Developed a sensitive Hb detection method with linearity from 0.01-10 μM and a LOD of 52 nM.
Conclusions:
- NE-CDs are efficiently synthesized using a simple hydrothermal route.
- NE-CDs exhibit tunable fluorescence properties, making them suitable for pH sensing and live-cell imaging.
- The developed method offers a sensitive and effective approach for hemoglobin quantification in biological samples.
