Graphene quantum dot embedded hydrogel for dissolved iron sensing

Date

2019

Authors

Pincher, D.W.M.
Bader, C.A.
Hayball, J.D.
Plush, S.E.
Sweetman, M.J.

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Journal article

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ChemistrySelect, 2019; 4(33):9640-9646

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Abstract

A robust and accurate chemical sensor for dissolved iron has been developed, based on highly fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs). This work describes the construction of a GQD embedded hydrogel that displays strong fluorescence emission from the bulk structure. The hydrogel is made from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and crosslinked by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate to form a water permeable, flexible and transparent material. Polymerisation in the presence of the GQDs physically entraps the fluorescent nanoparticles within the hydrogel. The fluorescence properties of the GQD-pHEMA hydrogels have been thoroughly characterised, including by confocal microscopy in the first reported use of this technique for a GQD composite material. Sensing of dissolved Fe(III) by the GQD-pHEMA hydrogels has been demonstrated, whereby the Fe(III) quenches the GQDs fluorescence emission. The GQD-pHEMA hydrogels were selective to Fe(III) and showed a linear response for concentrations in the range of 10-200 μM.

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Data source: Supporting information, https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.201901779

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Copyright 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag

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