Electrochemiluminescence of Carbon‐based Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Mechanism and Application in Heavy Metal Ions Detection

Abstract

In recent years, carbon-based quantum dots as luminophores and co-reactants have aroused broad interest for their ability to function in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors due to their unique features, including excellent biocompatibility, low toxicity, and water solubility. In this mini review, the synthesis methods of carbon-based quantum dots are firstly introduced.Then, the mechanism of carbon-based quantum dots as luminophores and co-reactants and their latest progress application in the detection of heavy metal ions are explored. Finally, the current challenges and potential future development directions of carbon-based quantum dots in ECL sensing filed for heavy metal ions analysis are summarized.

Optical Properties of Tricarboxylic Acid-Derived Carbon Dots

“…Carbon dots (CDs), as a new type of carbon material of less than 20 nm in size, have drawn attention due to their unique optical properties, such as photoluminescence (PL), photoinduced electron transfer and electrochemiluminescence. , CDs have potential as a substitute for toxic metal-based quantum dots because of their robust chemical inertness, biocompatibility, simple and inexpensive preparation, low toxicity, and abundance of raw material in nature. , CDs can find application in areas such as drug delivery, medical diagnosis, two-photon fluorescence imaging, fluorescent ink, detection of metal ions, and catalysis. − In this connection, several approaches, with a wide variety of synthesis methods and raw precursors used, have been developed to prepare fluorescent CDs in the past 15 years. Generally, these methods for synthesizing CDs are categorized into “top-down” (cutting from different preformed carbon structures) and “bottom-up” (starting with molecular precursors) approaches .…”

“…Carbon dots (CDs), as a new type of carbon material of less than 20 nm in size, have drawn attention due to their unique optical properties, such as photoluminescence (PL), photoinduced electron transfer and electrochemiluminescence. 1 , 2 CDs have potential as a substitute for toxic metal-based quantum dots because of their robust chemical inertness, biocompatibility, simple and inexpensive preparation, low toxicity, and abundance of raw material in nature. 3 , 4 CDs can find application in areas such as drug delivery, medical diagnosis, two-photon fluorescence imaging, fluorescent ink, detection of metal ions, and catalysis.…”

Advances in electrochemiluminescence for single-cell analysis

“…During oxidation or reduction, the co-reactants are often converted into certain intermediates with strong reducing or oxidizing properties, which in turn can react with ECL probes or their intermediate states to form an excited state of ions or molecules, and then achieve ECL luminescence. 26 Several recent reviews have summarized the detailed mechanism of ECL, highlighting the advantages of varying ECL routes for ECL imaging systems. [27][28][29][30] For example, Wu et al systematically described the mechanism of ECL cell analysis based on the quantum dot (QD) system.…”

Research Progress in the Synthesis of Carbon Dots and Their Application in Food Analysis

“…The sensitive quantification of heavy metal ions is of considerable importance because of their potential effects on humans. Currently, nanoprobes based on CDs have been designed to achieve the quantitative detection of heavy metal ions such as Cu 2+ , Hg 2+ , Al 3+ , Ag + , Pb 2+ , and Mn 2+ [ 87 , 88 , 89 ].…”