title: Nitrogen-rich functional groups carbon nanoparticles based fluorescent pH sensor with broad-range responding for environmental and live cells applications.
abstract: A nitrogen-rich functional groups carbon nanoparticles (N-CNs) based fluorescent pH sensor with a broad-range responding was prepared by one-pot hydrothermal treatment of melamine and triethanolamine. The as-prepared N-CNs exhibited excellent photoluminesence properties with an absolute quantum yield (QY) of 11.0%. Furthermore, the N-CNs possessed a broad-range pH response. The linear pH response range was 3.0 to 12.0, which is much wider than that of previously reported fluorescent pH sensors. The possible mechanism for the pH-sensitive response of the N-CNs was ascribed to photoinduced electron transfer (PET). Cell toxicity experiment showed that the as-prepared N-CNs exhibited low cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility with the cell viabilities of more than 87%. The proposed N-CNs-based pH sensor was used for pH monitoring of environmental water samples, and pH fluorescence imaging of live T24 cells. The N-CNs is promising as a convenient and general fluorescent pH sensor for environmental monitoring and bioimaging applications.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China; Key laboratory of regional ecological environment analysis and pollution control of West Guangxi, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Baise University, Baise 533000, China.
authors.forename: Bingfang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
authors.forename: Yubin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China. Electronic address: liangzhang319@163.com.
authors.forename: Liangliang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
authors.forename: Rongjun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
authors.forename: Mengjiao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China. Electronic address: zhaoshulin001@163.com.
authors.forename: Shulin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Carbon nanoparticles; Environmental monitoring; Fluorescent pH sensor; Live-cell image; Nitrogen-rich functional groups