Boronic acid functionalized N-doped carbon quantum dots as fluorescent probe for selective and sensitive glucose determination

Nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) of about 10 nm in diameter have been obtained by hydrothermal reaction from collagen. Because of the superiority of water dispersion, low toxicity and ease of functionlization, the NCQDs were designed as a glucose sensor after covalent grafting by 3-aminophenylboronic (APBA) (APBA-NCQDs). The as-prepared APBA-NCQDs were imparted with glucose sensitivity and selectivity from other saccharides via fluorescence (FL) quenching effect at physiological pH and at room temperature, which show high sensitivity and specificity for glucose determination with a wide range from 1 mM to 14 mM. FL quenching mechanism of APBA-NCQDs was also investigated by adding an external quencher. The APBA-NCQDs-based platform is an environmentally friendly way to substitute inorganic quantum dots containing heavy metals which offer a facile and low cost detection method.