A novel probe for tetracyclines detection and its applications in cell imaging based on fluorescent WS2 quantum dots

In this study, a novel fluorescence sensor for tetracyclines (TCs) detection was designed using WS2 quantum dots (WS2 QDs). WS2 QDs could be quenched by TCs through the inner filter effect (IFE). The limit of detection of this proprosed method is 39 nM, 52 nM, and 28 nM for tetracycline (TC), doxycycline (DC), and oxytetracycline (OTC), respectively. The as-proposed strategy was successfully applied to detect TC in milk samples and human serum samples. The WS2 QDs were highly biocompatible and showed lower toxicity. Moreover, the WS2 QDs was successfully applied to imaging TC in HeLa cells owing to its excellent optical performance and great biocompatibility.