Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Multicolor Fluorescence Detection for Droplet Microfluidics Using Optical Fibers
Published on: May 5, 2016
A fluorescence sensor array based on triple-color emission S,N-co-doped graphene quantum dots for metal ions
Mengyuan Tan1, Gege Yang1, Mengyao Wang2
1Department of Chemistry, School of Materials and Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Sensors, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
This study presents a novel fluorescent sensor using sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphene quantum dots (S,N-GQDs) for rapid, simultaneous detection of 10 metal ions in environmental samples, offering a promising tool for water quality monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Metal ion pollution presents significant risks to environmental and human health.
- Simultaneous detection of multiple metal ions is crucial for effective environmental monitoring.
- Existing methods for metal ion detection can be slow or lack specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid fluorescent array sensor for simultaneous discrimination and quantification of 10 metal ions.
- To utilize triple-color emission from S,N-GQDs for distinct metal ion responses.
- To validate the sensor's performance in real environmental water samples.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a fluorescent array sensor using sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphene quantum dots (S,N-GQDs).
- Exploitation of distinct triple-color fluorescence emission responses of S,N-GQDs to various metal ions.
- Application of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) for data processing and pattern recognition.
- Quantification of metal ions in environmental water samples (tap water, lake water).
Main Results:
- Successful discrimination of 10 different metal ions and their mixtures using the S,N-GQDs fluorescent array.
- Broad concentration range detection (0-300 μM) with low detection limits for individual metal ions (e.g., 0.11 μM for Cu2+).
- High recovery rates (>90%) for metal ions in spiked environmental water samples, demonstrating practical applicability.
Conclusions:
- The developed S,N-GQDs fluorescent array sensor enables rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple metal ions.
- The sensor exhibits high sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability for environmental water monitoring.
- This technology holds significant potential for real-time, on-site assessment of metal ion contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
