A triple-emission ratiometric fluorescence and multi-color sensing platform for the detection of 6PPD-Q based on...

For the first time, silicon quantum dots (Si-QDs), rhodamine 6G (R6G) and Au nanoclusters (Au NCs) were self-assembled through electrostatic adsorption to form the triple-emission ratiometric fluorescence probe Si-QDs@R6G@Au NCs for the detection of N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPD-Q). Based on the dynamic variation patterns of these three fluorescence channels, the fluorescence intensity ratio (I₅₅₀ + I₆₅₀)/I₄₃₅ demonstrated a highly linear relationship with 6PPD-Q concentration with the detection limit of 0.1 ng·mL^- 1. Moreover, under 365 nm UV excitation, the fluorescence color of the probes altered significantly from initial orange to rose-red, then purple, and finally blue. Furthermore, a portable handheld sensing platform coupled with a smartphone was developed. Meanwhile, the YOLOv8 was significantly introduced to enhance the detection accuracy for fluorescence images. In general, this sensing system achieves high-throughput, rapid-response, and real-time monitoring of 6PPD-Q, which offers a practical and significant tool for ensuring food safety and public health.