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Phosphorescent Naphthalene-Doped Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots for Selective Detection of Polyamide Microplastics
Qiaocheng Feng1, Xiaoyan Hu1, Jingru Chen1
1Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.
Abstract:
Fluorescent dye labeling is a visual method for the detection of microplastics (MPs). However, the interference from the background fluorescence in complex environmental samples results in overestimation of the MP number, and the nonspecific fluorescent dye cannot selectively detect a single type of MPs. Herein, phosphorescent naphthalene-doped carbon nitride quantum dots (NDCNQDs) were prepared via incomplete condensation of urea with 1,5-diaminonaphthalene at 250 °C and used as a specific dye to stain polyamide (PA) MPs via hydrogen bonding. A phosphorescence imaging method for the selective detection of PA MPs was proposed. Benefitting from the long lifetime of phosphorescence, the interference from the background fluorescence in environmental samples was avoided. The recoveries for PA MPs in pond water samples and pond mud samples were 91.2-108.4%. PA MPs in environmental samples (e.g., streamwater, sediment, house dust) were analyzed without complicated pretreatment. This work provides a strategy for the specific detection of PA MPs in environmental samples.
Insights
Researchers developed phosphorescent naphthalene-doped carbon nitride quantum dots (NDCNQDs) for specific detection of polyamide (PA) microplastics (MPs). This method avoids background interference and accurately quantifies PA MPs in environmental samples.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Fluorescent dye labeling is common for microplastic (MP) detection but suffers from background interference and lack of specificity.
- Nonspecific dyes can lead to overestimation of MP numbers in complex environmental matrices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a selective and sensitive method for detecting polyamide (PA) microplastics (MPs).
- To overcome the limitations of traditional fluorescent methods in complex environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of naphthalene-doped carbon nitride quantum dots (NDCNQDs) via incomplete condensation of urea and 1,5-diaminonaphthalene.
- Utilizing the phosphorescence properties of NDCNQDs for selective staining of PA MPs through hydrogen bonding.
- Development of a phosphorescence imaging method for PA MP detection.
Main Results:
- NDCNQDs demonstrated specific phosphorescent labeling of PA MPs.
- The phosphorescence imaging method effectively avoided background fluorescence interference.
- High recoveries (91.2-108.4%) for PA MPs in pond water and mud samples were achieved.
- Successful analysis of PA MPs in environmental samples like streamwater, sediment, and house dust with minimal pretreatment.
Conclusions:
- Phosphorescent NDCNQDs offer a robust strategy for the specific detection of PA MPs.
- This method enhances accuracy and reduces overestimation in MP quantification.
- The developed technique is applicable to various environmental samples, simplifying MP analysis.
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