Carbon dots (CDs) are carbon-based nanomaterials with versatile optical properties, high photostability and solubility. CDs have excellent biocompatibility as well as low cytotoxicity. Their photoluminescent properties are dependent on size, excitation wavelength, and functionalization. Hence, CDs are ideally suited as optical probes for variety of biomolecules. In this project, the solution photophysical properties of CDs were evaluated in the presence or absence of a nucleoside, specifically, guanosine, by using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Dual-fluorescent CDs exhibit fluorescence emission at both, blue and red wavelengths. The CD-based fluorescence emission was quenched in the presence of guanosine, but the quenching was highly dependent on the excitation wavelengths used. The fluorescence intensities varied in the presence of guanosine in a concentration dependent manner. Using a fluorescence quenching assay, a linear response was observed at low concentrations in the micromolar range and an upward curvature at higher concentrations indicating multiple quenching processes. Data were compared to a traditional quencher, Cu(II) metal ions. The data indicate CDs are valuable biological probes for the detection of nucleic acid building blocks.

Role of guanosine on fluorescent properties of carbon dots

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