Dual Detection of Norfloxacin and Gatifloxacin by Excitation Tuning Strategy Based on Yellow Carbon Dots

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are widely used in hospitals, animal husbandry and aquaculture for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, overuse of FQs poses a potential threat to the environment and human. Detection of antibiotics is of great importance in various fields. In this paper, bright yellow fluorescence carbon dots (y-CDs) with quantum yield of 32% were synthesized via a simple and rapid microwave-assisted method using o-phenylenediamine and salicylic acid as raw materials. The fluorescence properties of y-CDs varied under different excitation wavelengths. It is discovered that the excitation wavelength is a critical factor to develop a dual functional fluorescence probe. Under selected excitation wavelength (355 nm), y-CDs can realize dual detection of norfloxacin (NOR) and gatifloxacin (GAT) with good selectivity and high sensitivity in a “turn-on” mode. The detection limits of NOR and GAT are 0.0881 µM and 0.0125 µM, respectively. y-CDs prove practical application in the detection of NOR and GAT in milk and egg samples.