Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots for Ratiometric Fluorescence/Colorimetry/Smartphone-Based Detection of Daunorubicin

Abstract

The adverse side effects of chemotherapeutic agents such as daunorubicin (DAN) demand a simple reliable detection technique that not only helps to regulate the drug concentration in patients' bodies but also reduces water pollution. In this study, a ratiometric fluorescence, colorimetric, and smartphone-based sensor was developed for the detection of DAN using nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs). The N-CDs showed blue fluorescence with high fluorescence quantum yield of 33.48%. The N-CDs exhibited a fast (30 secs), selective and sensitive ratiometric fluorescence response towards DAN with limit of detection (LOD) of 0.53 mu M. Furthermore, these N-CDs showed a good linear response towards DAN in colorimetry and smartphone detection method. The N-CDs based smartphone assisted colorimetric platform provides the on-site quantitative detection and naked eye visualization of DAN. To ensure the practical applicability of the triple-mode N-CDs probe, it was employed for the detection of DAN in blood serum and tap water samples. The recovery percentage of DAN in blood serum and tap water was satisfactory within the range between 92.92% - 112.45% and 92.26%-114.68% respectively.