Soluble non-toxic carbon nano-rods for the selective sensing of iron(iii) and chromium(vi)

Abstract

Herein, we report a simpler functionalization of the CNR by the amine (2,2 '-(ethylenedioxy)-bis(ethylamine)) (H2NCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2NH2 (EDA)) molecules as a surface passivating agent to achieve soluble functionalized carbon nano-rods (f-CNR). The surface-functionalized fluorescent f-CNR exhibited the quantum yield value of similar to 16% and were used as a fluorescent probe for the selective detection of the Cr(vi) and Fe(iii) ions in a homogeneous aqueous phase based on fluorescence quenching. In particular, the limits of the detection for both metal ions were obtained to be similar to 43 nM for Fe(iii) and similar to 11 nM for Cr(vi), which were quite significant in aqueous media. Moreover, the f-CNR showed non-toxicity and was biocompatible with Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC 25922) cells when tested up to 9 mg mL(-1).