A novel optical sensor based on carbon dots embedded molecularly imprinted silica for selective acetamiprid detection.

Abstract A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) on silane-doped carbon dots (Si-CDs) has been synthesized as a novel optical sensor for selective detection of acetamiprid (ACT). Highly fluorescence Si-CDs have been first prepared by hydrothermal method. Subsequently, MIP has been formed on the surface of Si-CDs (MIP@Si-CDs) by a sol-gel process. The properties and structure of the Si-CDs and MIP@Si-CD nanocomposites have been characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Various parameters, which affect the optical signal, have been optimized. The fluorescence signal of MIP@Si-CDs showed linear response with ACT concentration in the 7–107 nM range with a detection limit of 2 nM and a precision of 2.7% and 3.3% for five replicate detections of 17 and 33 nM ACT under optimal conditions. In addition, the sensor has been satisfactorily utilized for the detection of ACT content in real samples. Graphical Abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A novel optical sensor for the detection of acetamiprid was developed. • Fluorescence quenching mechanism was accrued with increasing acetamiprid. • The optical sensor was characterized with 2 nM detection limit for acetamiprid. • The linear dynamic range of the sensor for acetamiprid comprised 7–107 nM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]