A novel fluorescence probe for rapid and sensitive detection of tetracyclines residues based on silicon quantum dots

A novel rapid and sensitive fluorescence probe based on silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) fluorescence was fabricated for selective detection of tetracyclines (TCs) residues. Si QDs were innovatively prepared via facile One-Pot Solvent-Free Method and characterized by TEM, FT-IR, UV absorption, fluorescence, XPS and XRD. In aqueous solution, Cu2+ and Si QDs complexed together and the fluorescence of Si QDs quenched (static quenching) to a certain extent. TCs can be early in binding to Cu2+ and prevent Si QDs fluorescence quenching. As a consequence, quantitative screening of TCs can be achieved. The assay is highly selective for TCs. Represented by chlortetracycline (CTC), a member of TCs, under optimized conditions, good linear relationship in the range of 11.32–1086.72 nM was obtained, and the detection limit (LOD; S/N ratio = 3) of this assay for CTC is 0.92 nM. It was successfully applied to the determination of CTC in spiked bee honey and total TCs in actual honey samples. And the evaluation of selectivity, reproducibility and stability of the probe were favorable. These results demonstrated that the presented fluorescent probe can be a promising sensing platform for TCs analysis.