Citation: Zhifeng CAI, Yiran ZHANG, Qun CAI, Miao JIA, Yaxuan FENG, Yuqi ZHANG. Ratiometric fluorescent probes based on nitrogen-doped carbon dots for the fluorescence detection of sulfide ions[J]. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, ;2026, 42(5): 1015-1025. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250366 shu

Ratiometric fluorescent probes based on nitrogen-doped carbon dots for the fluorescence detection of sulfide ions

College of Chemistry and Materials, Taiyuan Normal University, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, China

Corresponding author: Zhifeng CAI, caizhifeng15@mails.ucas.ac.cn
Received Date: 9 December 2025
Revised Date: 8 April 2026

Figures(6)

Herein, ratiometric fluorescence-based carbon dots (N-CDs) with blue emission were prepared by using simple one-step hydrothermal methods from benzimidazole and L-tryptophan as precursors. Dual emission peaks were observed at 356 and 442 nm under the excitation wavelength of 303 nm. Upon addition of sulfide ions (S^2-), the fluorescence intensity at 442 nm decreased significantly, while that at 356 nm increased. The F₄₄₂/F₃₅₆ intensity ratio (where F₃₅₆ and F₄₄₂ refer to the fluorescence intensity at 356 and 442 nm, respectively) exhibited a linear relationship with the concentration of S^2- (0-60.0 μmol·L^-1), and the detection limit was determined to be 0.076 μmol·L^-1. The fluorescence detection mechanism was ascribed to the static quenching effect. Furthermore, this fluorescence probe was successfully used for the determination of S^2- in real samples with satisfactory recoveries. Finally, the analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (AGREEprep) and blue applicability grade index (BAGI) tools indicated the high sustainability of this platform.
- amino acid-based carbon dots,
- ratiometric determination,
- sulfide ions,
- real samples
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