title: A quantum dot-spore nanocomposite pH sensor.
abstract: A new quantum dot (QD)-based pH sensor design is investigated. The sensor is synthesized based on the self-assembly of green QDs onto treated spores to form QD@spore nanocomposites. The nanocomposites are characterized using laser scanning confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscope, and fluorescence spectroscopy, among others. Fluorescence measurements showed that these nanocomposites are sensitive to pH in a broad pH range of 5.0-10.0. The developed pH sensors have been satisfactorily applied for pH estimation of real samples and are comparable with those of the commercial assay method, indicating the potential practical application of the pH sensors.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Xingya
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Zhiming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China.
authors.forename: Xiangdong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address: yongganghu@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yonggang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
keywords: Fluorescence; Nanocomposites; Quantum dot; Spore; pH sensor