A novel boron nitride quantum dots-based fluorescent sensing platform for selective detection of Fe3+

Abstract

In this study, boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposite films were produced to be used as a metal sensing material. BNQDs were synthesized from boric acid and urea using the hydrothermal method. The selectivity of PMMA/BNQDs nanocomposite films as fluorescent sensing platforms was tested for different metal ions (Fe3+, Na+ Zn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+). The morphological, structural, and chemical properties of the produced films were determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses. The optical properties of the films were determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis). Fluorescence and sensing properties were determined using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy analysis. SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirmed the strong bonding and homogeneous distribution between the BNQDs and the PMMA. FT-IR and TEM analyses proved the formation of BNQDs. PMMA-BNQDs nanocomposite film showed selective fluorescence quenching properties for Fe3+ ions. The fluorescence intensity of the nanocomposite films showed a good linear relationship between 0-60 µM for Fe3+. In addition, it showed good sensitivity to detect Fe3+ ions in drinking water. Thus, this fluorescent sensing platform can be selective and sensitive in the 0-60 µM concentration range with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.06 µM. © 2025, Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Agency. All rights reserved.