Alkali preparation and ions detection of Ti3C2 quantum dots

In this paper, a simple lye etching method is used to directly prepare Ti₃C₂ quantum dot (QDs) without fluorine-containing groups at low lye concentration. The as-prepared Ti₃C₂ QDs have a stability fluorescent property in whole pH range of 1–14 and different fluorescence response to different types of heavy metal ions. Due to the unique and irreversible fluorescence quenching ability for Cr³⁺, Ti₃C₂ QDs can be used to detect Cr³⁺ with a low detection limit of 30 mM. Along with the high fluorescent selectivity and stability in pH = 1–14, Ti₃C₂ QDs is a great application prospect as Cr³⁺ ion detection probes in sewage disposal.