A Simple and Novel Sensor for the Determination of Acetamiprid Based on Its Reducing Effect on the Chemiluminescence of S, N-CQDs in CHCN-HO System.

A simple and novel method for the determination of acetamiprid in water samples is suggested. The method is based on the reducing effect of acetamiprid on the chemiluminescence intensity of new sulfur and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (S, N-CQDs) in an acetonitrile-hydrogen peroxide (CHCN-HO) system. The possible mechanism was investigated, and it was found that S, N-CQDs react with (O)*, produced from the CHCN-HO reaction, leading to excited state S, N-CQDs, which deactivate to the ground state by photon emission. Acetamiprid diminishes the chemiluminescence (CL) intensity by competing with S, N-CQDs. The CL intensity reduction is proportional to the concentration of acetamiprid. S, N-CQDs were easily prepared by a hydrothermal method. Under the optimal conditions, a linear range of 2.5 - 25.0 μg L with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.4 μg L was obtained. This method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of residual pesticides in water samples.