Nitrogen-rich functional groups carbon nanoparticles based fluorescent pH sensor with broad-range responding for environmental and live cells applications

作者：Shi, Bingfang; Su, Yubin; Zhang, Liangliang^*; Liu, Rongjun; Huang, Mengjiao; Zhao, Shulin^*

来源：Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2016, 82: 233-239.

DOI：10.1016/j.bios.2016.04.003

• Fluorescent pH sensor
• Nitrogen-rich functional groups
• Carbon nanoparticles
• Live-cell image
• Environmental monitoring

A nitrogen-rich functional groups carbon nanoparticles (N-CNs) based fluorescent pH sensor with a broad-range responding was prepared by one-pot hydrothermal treatment of melamine and triethanolamine. The as-prepared N-CNs exhibited excellent photoluminesence properties with an absolute quantum yield (QY) of 11.0%. Furthermore, the N-CNs possessed a broad-range pH response. The linear pH response range was 3.0 to 12.0, which is much wider than that of previously reported fluorescent pH sensors. The possible mechanism for the pH-sensitive response of the N-CNs was ascribed to photo induced electron transfer (PET). Cell toxicity experiment showed that the as-prepared N-CNs exhibited low cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility with the cell viabilities of more than 87%. The proposed N-CNs-based pH sensor was used for pH monitoring of environmental water samples, and pH fluorescence imaging of live T24 cells. The N-CNs is promising as a convenient and general fluorescent pH sensor for environmental monitoring and bioimaging applications.

• 出版日期2016-8-15
• 单位广西师范大学; 百色学院