FLUORESCENT SILICON QUANTUM DOTS FOR THE DETECTION OF URIC ACID

Abstract

Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) have become one of the most popular nanomaterials with outstanding optical properties, chemical photostability, biocompatibility, water solubility, dispersibility, and ultra-small size. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the application of SiQDs in the development of non-enzymatic sensors for healthcare applications. In this work, a fluorescence sensor based on SiQDs for the detection of uric acid has been described. The SiQDs have been synthesis via one-pot hydrothermal technique by reacting 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a silicon source, trisodium citrate as a reducing agent, and ethylene diamine as a capping agent. The SiQDs were used as an indicator to reveal the fluorescence property of the system resulting from interactions with uric acid that induced the self-aggregation of the SiQDs and thus quenched the fluorescence intensity. Under optimized conditions, the fluorescence sensor response towards uric acid in the concentration range of 0.004 to 0.100 mg/ml gave good linearity (y = 23346x + 3599.2, R² = 0.980) and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.003 mg/ml. This method is a promising tool for diagnosing and monitoring various diseases including gout and other diseases.