Graphene Quantum Dots Incorporated UiO-66-NH₂ Based Fluorescent Nanocomposite for Highly Sensitive Detection of Quercetin

Quercetin can help with a variety of health problems. Most methods for measuring quercetin in biological fluids are characterized by low sensitivity and selectivity. The employment of metal–organic frameworks in sensor applications with carbon-based materials ushers in a new era. In this study, blue fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) embedded in a UiO-66-NH₂ metal–organic framework-based nanoprobe (GQDs@UiO-66-NH₂) were constructed for quercetin sensing. Initially, maize husk was used to produce blue fluorescent GQDs, whereas zirconium tetrachloride and 2-aminoterephthalic acid were used to synthesize extremely luminous UiO-66-NH₂. The addition of quercetin to GQDs@UiO-66-NH₂ leads to fluorescence dampening due to the adsorption potential of UiO-66-NH₂. The complexation of zirconium ions with the 3-OH and 4-C＝O functionalities of quercetin resulted in fluorescence quenching. The sensor has a linear concentration range and limit of detection for quercetin of 50–500 and 2.82 ng/mL, respectively. The nanoprobe’s usefulness for quercetin detection was then validated by a selectivity investigation in the presence of interfering chemicals. Furthermore, the percentage relative standard deviations were 4.20% and 2.90%, respectively, indicating great stability and repeatability. Fluorescence “Turn-On–Off” nanoprobes provide a simple, quick, sensitive, and selective method for monitoring quercetin.