Ultrasensitive detection of acephate based on carbon quantum dot-mediated fluorescence inner filter effects

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) like acephate are widely used in agriculture.
• OPs pose risks to human and animal health through acute or chronic poisoning.
• Existing detection methods for OPs are often complex, time-consuming, and lack sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple and ultrasensitive method for the quantitative detection of acephate residues.
• To establish a reliable sensor for monitoring trace levels of acephate in food and environmental samples.
• To address the limitations of traditional pesticide detection techniques.

Main Methods:

• Utilized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to mediate a fluorescence inner filter effect (IFE).
• Employed a ratiometric fluorescence approach by monitoring the interplay between CQDs and 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP).
• Quantified acephate by measuring the ratio of fluorescence intensities at 558 nm and 460 nm.

Main Results:

• Achieved an ultrasensitive detection limit of 0.052 ppb for acephate, significantly below regulatory standards.
• Demonstrated a linear relationship between the ratiometric signal (I558/I460) and acephate concentration.
• Successfully validated the sensor's performance in spiked samples of tap water and pear.

Conclusions:

• The developed CQD-based ratiometric fluorescence sensor offers a simple, highly sensitive, and rapid method for acephate detection.
• This sensor shows great potential for the accurate monitoring of trace organophosphorus pesticides in complex real-world samples.
• The findings contribute to enhanced food safety and public health protection strategies.