Advances in Ultra-small Fluorescence Nanoprobes for Detection of Metal Ions, Drugs, Pesticides and Biomarkers

Identification of trace level chemical species (drugs, pesticides, metal ions and biomarkers) plays key role in environmental monitoring. Recently, fluorescence assay has shown significant advances in detecting of trace level drugs, pesticides, metal ions and biomarkers in real samples. Ultra-small nanostructure materials (metal nanoclusters (NCs), quantum dots (QDs) and carbon dots (CDs)) have been integrated with fluorescence spectrometer for sensitive and selective analysis of trace level target analytes in various samples including environmental and biological samples. This review summarizes the properties of metal NCs and ligand chemistry for the fabrication of metal NCs. We also briefly summarized the synthetic routes for the preparation of QDs and CDs. Advances of ultra-small fluorescent nanosensors (NCs, QDs and CDs) for sensing of metal ions, drugs, pesticides and biomarkers in various sample matrices are briefly discussed. Additionally, we discuss the recent challenges and future perspectives of ultra-small materials as fluorescent sensors for assaying of wide variety of target analytes in real samples.

Automated summary

Identification of trace level chemical species plays a key role in environmental monitoring. Recent advances in fluorescence assay have enabled the detection of trace level drugs, pesticides, metal ions, and biomarkers in real samples. The integration of ultra-small nanostructure materials with fluorescence spectrometer has been developed for sensitive and selective analysis of trace level target analytes. This review summarizes the properties and fabrication of metal nanoclusters, quantum dots, and carbon dots, and discusses the advances and challenges of using ultra-small fluorescent nanosensors for sensing various target analytes in real samples.