Fabrication of silicon quantum dots-methyl viologen nanohybrids: Turn-On-Off-On fluorescence nanoprobe for the detection of d-penicillamine

This study provides a straightforward, one-step hydrothermal approach for synthesizing water-soluble silicon quantum dots (SiQDs). The surface of the synthesized SiQDs is modified by the carboxylic acid functional group (A:SiQDs) after succinic anhydride treatment. The modified A:SiQDs, which emitted blue light fluorescence, showed high stability against photobleaching, thermal stability, and good water solubility. The A:SiQDs are conjugated with methyl viologen (MV2+) to develop a nanohybrid for specific D-Penicillamine (D-PA) detection with an LOD of 8 nM. The suggested sensor was effectively used to analyze D-PA in commercial pharmaceutical formulations using the conventional addition method, and it produced results with good accuracy and precision that were nearly equal to those measured.