Multicolor Emitting Block Copolymer-Integrated Graphene Quantum Dots for Colorimetric, Simultaneous Sensing of Temperature, pH, and Metal Ions

Chan Ho Park, Hyunseung Yang, Junhyuk Lee, Han Hee Cho, Dahin Kim, Doh C. Lee, Bumjoon J. Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Highly selective optical sensors that are capable of detecting complex stimuli have attracted significant interest in environmental, biomedical, and analytical chemistry applications. In this Article, we report the development of novel and versatile platform for highly efficient, colorimetric multifunctional sensors using block copolymer-integrated graphene quantum dots (bcp-GQDs). In particular, the multisensing behavior is successfully generated simply by grafting blue-emitting, temperature-responsive block copolymers onto green-emitting, 10 nm size GQD that provides luminescent response to pH changes. Thus, the bcp-GQDs showed simultaneous, orthogonal sensing behavior to temperature and pH, as well as dose-dependent responses to different types of metal ions. In addition, the bcp-GQD sensor showed excellent reversibility and dispersion stability in pure water, indicating that our system is an ideal platform for environmental and biological applications. The detailed mechanism of the responsive behavior of the bcp-GQDs was elucidated by measurements of time-resolved fluorescence and dynamic light scattering.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5288-5294
Number of pages7
JournalChemistry of Materials
Volume27
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Aug 2015

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