Fluorescence enhancement of CdTe/CdS quantum dots by coupling of glyphosate and its application for sensitive detection of copper ion

Graphical abstract: Glyphosate (Glyp) had been used to modify the surface of CdTe/CdS QDs, resulting in the enhancement of fluorescence intensity. The Glyp-functionalized QDs fluorescent probe offers good sensitivity and selectivity for detecting Cu2+ based on the fluorescence quenching. Highlights: ► Water soluble CdTe/CdS quantum dots capped with glyphosate were firstly synthesized. ► The fluorescence of the Glyp-functionalized QDs was quenched by copper ion. ► A new fluorescent sensor for copper ion was developed based on the prepared QDs. ► The sensor exhibited high sensitivity and good selectivity for copper ion. - Abstract: A novel fluorescent probe for Cu2+ determination based on the fluorescence quenching of glyphosate (Glyp)-functionalized quantum dots (QDs) was firstly reported. Glyp had been used to modify the surface of QDs to form Glyp-functionalized QDs following the capping of thioglycolic acid on the core–shell CdTe/CdS QDs. Under the optimal conditions, the response was linearly proportional to the concentration of Cu2+ between 2.4 × 10−2 μg mL−1 and 28 μg mL−1, with a detection limit of 1.3 × 10−3 μg mL−1 (3δ). The Glyp-functionalized QDs fluorescent probe offers good sensitivity and selectivity for detecting Cu2+. The fluorescent probe was successfully used for the determination of Cu2+ in environmental samples. The mechanism of reaction was also discussed.