Combining fluorescent quantum dots with transition metal oxide shell as core-shell nanocomposite for turn-on sensing of ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid (AA) is an essential vitamin in humans, and numerous AA detection studies have been conducted. Most quantum dots (QDs)-based approaches depend on redox reactions involving AA, and they require the introduction of an intermediate (e.g., metal ions, OPD, TMB) or the assembly of fluorescent substances with nanosheets (such as MnO2) that can be degraded by AA. These methods are complex, unstable, and are susceptible to interferences. To address these problems, a core-shell fluorescence probe was developed for turn-on sensing of AA. The transition metal oxide shell FeOOH was generated around the surface of CuInZnS QDs to quench the fluorescence. In the presence of AA, the FeOOH shell was decomposed into Fe2+ and the fluorescence of QDs was recovered. Using a physical shell, the obtained nanocomposite realized direct AA detection, avoiding the effects of interfering substances caused by QDs exposure. Moreover, our probe showed great potential in point-of-care tests and was readily adapted for use as a smartphone-assisted paper sensor.