US EPA

4180449 

Journal Article 

Graphene quantum dot membranes as fluorescent sensing platforms for Cr (VI) detection 

Carrasco, PMa; Garcia, I; Yate, L; Tena Zaera, R; Cabanero, G; Grande, HJ; Ruiz, V 

2016 

Yes 

Carbon
ISSN: 0008-6223
EISSN: 1873-3891 

109 

658-665 

10.1016/j.carbon.2016.08.038 

WOS:000385900100073 

A simple and versatile method to produce filtration membranes with graphene quantum dots (GQD) and their excellent performance as turn-off fluorescence sensing platforms for Cr (VI) detection in water is presented. Suitably functionalized GQD were immobilized on various types of membranes (nylon, cellulose and glass fiber) and the resulting GQD-modified membranes exhibited the characteristic fluorescence fingerprint of the GQD probes. The membrane fluorescence was quenched by highly toxic Cr (VI) ions due to selective coordination to GQD functional groups. The analytical performance of membranes was comparable to that of dispersed GQD fluorescent probes, displaying a fast and linear response to Cr (VI) concentration in the 1-500 mu M range, a low detection limit of 190 nM, high sensitivity, reproducibility and selectivity. Moreover, the membranes can be regenerated by simple washing with deionized water and reused, preserving their good sensing response after several Cr (VI) detection washing cycles. Membrane sensing performance was very stable after being immersed in water for several days and filtering water through them. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.