Novel fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) for cobalt ions sensing were synthesized from 2,4,6-tris(2'-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ) and citric acid by microwave-assisted method in one pot. This sensor was water soluble, simple, sensitive and cheap. The size of the CDs was determined from transmission electron microscope image and was in the range of 10 nm. Under optimized experimental conditions, this luminescent system had stable response for Co (II) over a concentration range from 0.4 to 50 µM with a detection limit as low as 230 nM. The proposed method showed good sensitivity and selectivity with respect to interference ions. Finally, this system was used for Co (II) determination in tap water, river water and mineral water and B12 ampoule samples.
Keywords: 2, 4, 6-Tris (2′-pyridyl)-s-triazine; Carbon dots; Cobalt (II); Fluorescent sensor; Microwave assisted synthesis.