title: Graphene quantum dots coordinated to mercaptopyridine-substituted phthalocyanines: Characterization and application as fluorescence "turn ON" nanoprobes.
abstract: This study reports on the design of novel nanoconjugates of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and tetra or octa-mercaptopyridine-substituted zinc and aluminium phthalocyanines (Pcs) deployed as fluorescence "turn ON" nanoprobes. The phthalocyanines were separately adsorbed onto the planar structure of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) via π-π stacking interaction to form GQDs-mercaptopyridine Pcs nanoconjugates. The quaternized Pc complexes could also interact with the GQDs through electrostatic attraction due to the positive charges on the Pcs ring substituents and the negative charges on the surface of GQDs. The fluorescence emission of the GQDs was quenched upon coordination to the respective Pcs. However, the fluorescence emission was "turned ON" in the presence of Hg2+employed as a test analyte. The mechanism of the "turn ON" of the GQDs emission in the nanoconjugates is ascribed to the strong affinity of Hg2+to bind with the bridging sulfur on the Pcs periphery thereby disrupting the π-π stacking interaction between the GQDs and the Pcs with a consequent "turn ON" of the coordinated GQDs' fluorescence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ojodomo J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Achadu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa. Electronic address: t.nyokong@ru.ac.za.
authors.forename: Tebello
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nyokong
keywords: Fluorescence ‘turn-ON’; Graphene quantum dots; Mercaptopyridine phthalocyanines; Mercury (II) ion