Highly sensitive fluorescent sensing for intracellular glutathione based on Ti3C2 quantum dots

Intracellular glutathione (GSH) sensing was important for monitoring many diseases and health of cell. In this study, we prepared surface-functionalized Ti3C2 quantum dots (QDs) by ultrasonic cutting and hydrothermal method. Bright excitation wavelength-dependent blue emission was observed in Ti3C2 QDs which was attributed to surface defects and quantum confinement effects. Furthermore, we developed a novel fluorescence sensor that can detect GSH with high sensitivity, based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer process from Ti3C2 quantum dots to GSH, with a detection limit of 0.02 mu M approximately. This novel Ti3C2 QD can be used as a promising fluorescent sensor for practical applications.