Carbon dots preparation as a fluorescent sensing platform for highly efficient detection of Fe(III) ions in biological systems.

Water-soluble carbon dots (CDs) were prepared, using a facile hydrothermal oxidation route of cyclic oligosaccharide α-CD, as carbon sources, and alkali as additives. The successful synthesis of CDs was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), FTIR, UV-visible absorption, and emission fluorescence. The characterizations showed that the prepared CDs are spherical and well-dispersed in water with average diameters of approximately 2 nm. These water-soluble CDs have excellent photo stability towards photo bleaching during 30 days. The obtained CDs showed a strong emission at the wavelength of 450 nm, with an optimum excitation of 360 nm. The fluorescence quenching of CDs in the presence of Fe(III) ions was used as fluorescent probes for quantifying Fe(III) ions in aqueous solution. Under optimum condition, the fluorescence intensity versus Fe(III) concentration gave a linear response, according to Stern-Volmer equation. The linearity range of the calibration curve and the limit of detection were 1.60×10(-5) to 16.6×10(-5) mol L(-1), and 6.05×10(-6) mol L(-1), respectively, which was in the range for serum analysis of Fe(III). It was concluded that the prepared CDs had a great potential as fluorescent probes for applications in analysis of Fe(III) ions in the blood serum samples, which is hardly interfered by other ions.