Premium
Graphene Quantum Dot Embedded Hydrogel for Dissolved Iron Sensing
Author(s) -
Pincher Daniel W. M.,
Bader Christie A.,
Hayball John D.,
Plush Sally E.,
Sweetman Martin J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201901779
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , quantum dot , fluorescence , methacrylate , graphene , materials science , graphene quantum dot , nanoparticle , polymerization , chemical engineering , ethylene glycol , nanotechnology , nanocomposite , polymer chemistry , polymer , composite material , optics , physics , engineering
A robust and accurate chemical sensor for dissolved iron has been developed, based on highly fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs). This work describes the construction of a GQD embedded hydrogel that displays strong fluorescence emission from the bulk structure. The hydrogel is made from poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and crosslinked by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate to form a water permeable, flexible and transparent material. Polymerisation in the presence of the GQDs physically entraps the fluorescent nanoparticles within the hydrogel. The fluorescence properties of the GQD‐pHEMA hydrogels have been thoroughly characterised, including by confocal microscopy in the first reported use of this technique for a GQD composite material. Sensing of dissolved Fe(III) by the GQD‐pHEMA hydrogels has been demonstrated, whereby the Fe(III) quenches the GQDs fluorescence emission. The GQD‐pHEMA hydrogels were selective to Fe(III) and showed a linear response for concentrations in the range of 10–200 μM.