Fluorescent probe based on boron-nitrogen co-doped carbon dots for the rapid detection of acephate residue in vegetables and water

Uptake of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, lettuce & beans containing high levels of insecticide acephate (AM) residue can pose a serious threat to the human body. In order to accomplish effective, reliable and rapid AM detection, fluorescent probe based on boron nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (BN c-dots) was developed hydrothermally taking 4-amino benzoic acid and boric acid as precursors. The synthesized novel BN c-dots was characterized in detail by UV-vis, FL, DLS, XRD, TCSPC, FT-IR, AFM, TEM & XPS spectroscopy. The mechanism for the detection of AM was discussed based on static quenching. The BN c-dots exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity to AM, bringing about a linearity range of 0-80 mu M with LOD = 27 nM under optimal conditions. These BN c-dots were utilized triumphantly for the detection of AM in potatoes, carrots, lettuce, beans & river and tap water with satisfactory recovery between 95 % and 100 %. This work offers precious insights and new thinking in designing a BN c-dots based cost-effective, efficient and reliable sensor in the area of food safety to curb health risks to humans.