The parallel fluorescence determination of iron(III), terbium(III) and europium(III) ions using the coal-derived carbon dot

This paper reports a simple, rapid and sensitive fluorescence sensor for the parallel determination of iron (III) (Fe3+), terbium (III) (Tb3+) and europium (III) (Eu3+) ions using Carbon Dot (CD) serving as a fluorescence probe. The Carbon Dot (CD), which was synthesized via an acid-cutting method using anthracite coal as the carbon source, was found to have rich carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on its surface. The fluorescence of the as prepared CD can be selectively quenched by the Fe3+ ion via non-radiative electron-transfer, and furthermore, the as-prepared CD can also sensitize the luminescence of both Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions through the antenna effect and enhance the fluorescence of Tb3+ and Eu3+ by more than several orders of magnitude. Therefore, the as prepared CD was applied as a fluorescence probe towards the parallel determination of Fe3+, Tb3+ and Eu3+ and exhibited detection limits in 0.019, 0.10 and 0.79 mu M, respectively. The fluorescence quenching mechanism and energy transfer mechanism were also studied in details.

Automated summary

This paper reports a simple, rapid and sensitive fluorescence sensor using Carbon Dot (CD) as a probe for the parallel determination of Fe3+, Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions. The CD can selectively quench the fluorescence of Fe3+ through non-radiative electron-transfer and enhance the fluorescence of Tb3+ and Eu3+ through the antenna effect. The fluorescence quenching mechanism and energy transfer mechanism were also studied in details.