Coating FeO quantum dots with glutamic acid to achieve enhanced catalysis for facile and sensitive detection of chromium(VI) in water.

A universal green synthesis approach for Glu-FeO quantum dots (QDs) with ultrasmall size (∼3.3 nm) and enhanced catalysis was demonstrated using glutamic acid (Glu) as a dopant. Abundant carboxylic groups and amino groups on the surfaces with a zeta potential of -6.