Fluorescent Recognition of Potassium and Calcium Ions Using Functionalised CdSe / ZnS Quantum Dots

Schiff base receptor 1a has been synthesised and attached to the surface of preformed CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots (QDs) to form QD-conjugate 2a. While 1a was determined to be selective for Mg²⁺, 2a demonstrated selectivity for both K⁺ and Ca²⁺ when tested against a range of physiologically and environmentally relevant cations by changes in the fluorescence spectra. Thus, the nanoparticle surface functions as a scaffold for the organisation of receptors enabling semi-selective binding. The fluorescence response was shown to be linear between 15–50?μM for K⁺ and 2–35?μM for Ca²⁺. It was also demonstrated that 2a could measure both K⁺ and / or Ca²⁺ in solutions containing both ions.