Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 28 No 6 (2024): 1417 - 1427

 

Characterization of silicon quantum dots synthesized via hydrothermal method AND ITS APPLICATION FOR GLUCOSE DETECTION

 

(Pencirian Titik Kuantum Silikon Sintesis Melalui Kaedah Hidroterma dan Penggunaannya untuk Pengesanan Glukosa)

 

Hassan Grema1, Siti Haziyah Mohd Chaculi1, Jaafar Abdullah1,2, and Nor Azah Yusof1,2

 

1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

2Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ION2), University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: jafar@upm.edu.my

 

 

Received: 27 October 2023; Accepted: 14 August 2024; Published:  29 December 2024

 

 

Abstract

Recent interest has been directed towards developing new nanomaterials with diverse properties. Among these, silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) have gained popularity in biological applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and optical features. This study describes the synthesis of fluorescence water-soluble silicon quantum dots using a one-pot hydrothermal process specifically for glucose detection. The synthesis involved reacting 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a precursor, with ethylenediamine as a capping agent and sodium citrate as a reducing agent. The optical features of the SiQDs, including their absorption and emission characteristics, were investigated using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The measurements displayed an absorption pattern from 200 to 400 nm with a prominent shoulder at 329 nm and a maximum emission peak at 382 nm with an excitation of 305 nm. The structural characteristics of the synthesized SiQDs were examined using FTIR. It was found that surface functionalization and bonding composition exhibited strong absorbance at 1101 cm−1 and 1001 cm−1 due to the Si–O bending vibrations. This observation confirms the successful preparation of SiQDs. TEM analysis revealed a surface morphology characterized by a uniform, near-spherical shape, with sizes ranging from 11.81 nm to 12.95 nm. The XRD analysis indicates the amorphous nature of the SiQDs. Subsequently, the performance of the SiQDs in glucose detection was evaluated, revealing linearity in the range of 0.1 to 0.8 mg/ml with a regression equation of y = 20249x - 1682.4 (R2 = 0.9804) and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03 mg/mL. The findings suggest promising prospects for utilizing SiQDs as sensitive and reliable probes for glucose-sensing applications.

 

Keywords: Silicon quantum dots, fluorescence, functionalization, APTES, hydrothermal

 

Abstrak

Kini, penyelidikan pembangunan bahan nano baharu menyediakan pelbagai pilihan bahan nano berasaskan sifat yang diingini adalah menarik. Titik kuantum silikon (SiQDs) telah menjadi salah satu bahan nano yang paling popular dalam aplikasi biologi untuk bioserasi dan sifat optik yang sangat baik. Dalam kajian ini, titik kuantum silikon larut air berpendarfluor telah disintesis menggunakan proses hidroterma satu periuk untuk pengesanan glukos telah diterangkan. Sintesis ini melibatkan tindak balas 3-aminopropiltrietoksisilana (APTES) sebagai bahan pemula, etilenadiamina sebagai agen penukup dan natrium sitrat sebagai agen penurunan. Ciri optik SiQDs, termasuk ciri serapan dan pancaran telah dikaji menggunakan spektroskopi UL-cahaya nampak dan pendarfluor. Ia memaparkan corak penyerapan dari 200 hingga 400 nm dengan bahu yang menonjol sekitar 329 nm dan puncak pancaran maksimum pada 382 nm dengan pengujaan pada 305 nm. Ciri-ciri struktur SiQDs yang disintesis telah dikaji menggunakan FTIR menunjukkan fungsian permukaan dan komposisi ikatan mempunyai penyerapan yang kuat pada 1101 cm−1 dan 1001 cm−1 menunjukkan getaran lenturan Si-O yang terbukti berjaya disediakan bagi SiQDs. Morfologi permukaan oleh TEM menunjukkan keseragaman, bentuk hampir sfera, dan julat saiz dari 11.81 nm hingga 12.95 nm. Analisis XRD menunjukkan sifat SiQDs yang amorfus. Seterusnya, prestasi SiQDs dalam pengesanan glukosa dinilai menunjukkan kelinearan dalam julat 0.1 hingga 0.8 mg/ml dengan persamaan regresi y = 20249x - 1682.4 (R2 = 0.9804) dan had pengesanan (LOD) 0.03 mg/mL. Penemuan ini mencadangkan prospek yang menjanjikan untuk menggunakan SiQDs sebagai prob sensitif dan boleh dipercayai untuk aplikasi penderiaan glukosa.

 

Kata kunci: Titik kuantum silikon, pendarfluor, kefungsian, APTES, hidroterma

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