Fluorometric detection of quinolones via AIE and FRET with terbium-doped carbon dots and copper nanoclusters

Terbium and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (Tb@N-CDs), combined with α-lipoic acid-functionalized copper nanoclusters (LA@CuNCs), were proposed for the ratiometric detection of quinolone (QA) antibiotics. In this system, Tb@N-CDs facilitate the aggregation of LA@CuNCs, enhancing its fluorescence emission at 670 nm via aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE). Meanwhile, the fluorescence emission of Tb@N-CDs at 460 nm diminishes due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Upon the introduction of QA, the binding between Tb³⁺ ions and N-CDs weakens, disrupting both AIEE and FRET processes. This disruption results in a reduction in fluorescence emission at 670 nm and a concurrent increase at 460 nm. The fluorescence response ratio (F₄₆₀/F₆₇₀) increases with higher concentrations of ciprofloxacin (CFX), demonstrating a linear range from 0.008 to 120 μmol L⁻¹ and LOD of 1.6 nmol L⁻¹. The method successfully detected CFX in milk and urine samples, achieving recoveries between 97.7 % and 103.8 %, RSD of less than 3.79 %.