Graphene Quantum Dots Integrated in Ionophore-Based Fluorescent Nanosensors for Na+ and K.

To enrich the recipes of ion-selective nanosensors, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were integrated into ionophore-based fluorescent nanosensors with exquisite selectivity and high sensitivity for Na+ and K+. The unique property of GQDs gave the nanosensors ultrasmall size (ca. 10 nm), high brightness, good biocompatibility, and potential pH sensing possibility. At pH 7.4, the sensors exhibited a detection range from 0.1 mM to 1 M for Na+ and from 3 μM to 1 mM for K+. The nanosensors were successfully applied to blood serum and urine samples. Chemically induced intracellular sodium concentration change in HeLa cells was also qualitatively monitored.