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The hybrid microgels of carbon dots (CDs) and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been prepared with precipitation polymerization. This hybrid microgels exhibited dual emissions thanks to organic integration of CDs and AuNCs for their unique fluorescence properties maintained in the microgel system. The fluorescence intensity ratio at 570 nm and 450 nm of the dual-emitting has a good linear response to temperature varying at the range of 20–50 °C. In addition, the ratio of the dual emissions intensity of the hybrid microgel shows well linear relationship at pH range between 9.0 and 11.0, which promises to be used as pH sensor. Furthermore, this hybrid microgel is inherently non-cytotoxic, which could be used as high efficient fluorescent probes in living cell with dual colors. Thus, this novel dual-emission hybrid microgel system can be used not only as a multifunctional sensor, but also to expand potential applications in biomedical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] An ultrasensitive and selective method for the determination of melamine was developed at pH 11.0. [•] The selectivity of the method was improved. [•] The sensitivity of the method enhanced obviously as the CdTe QDs have higher QYs at pH 11. [•] The sensitivity and linear range for the analysis are size dependent using QDs PL probes. [•] Melamine takes the place of TGA resulting fluorescence quenched of QDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]