Simple synthesis of water-soluble ruthenium carry CDs as admirable probe for improved environment and biological applications

Metal-doped carbon dots (M-CDs) are brand-new 0-D nanomaterial that affords multiple guaranteed properties because of metals in between tiny carbon matrices. However, preparing M-CDs without aggregation of metals is very challenging. Here, we proposed a new tactic method to prepare highly water-soluble ruthenium Ru(Ⅱ)-holding CDs (Ru@CDs) through a one-step microwave-assisted approach with quantum yield of 19.21% using ruthenium chloride and ethylene diamine without any solvents. The optical, surface, structural, and morphological features were deeply evaluated with the support of UV–vis, photoluminescence, Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The excellent photoluminescent and water-soluble properties of Ru@CDs were employed to individually detection of dual carcinogenic environmental toxic metal ions through the photoluminescence technique. They detected the lower limit of 0.128 μM as Cr6+ and 0.328 μM as Hg2+ in the aqueous environment, which was very low compared to CDs. Followed by Ru@CDs, embedded cost-efficient filter paper was fabricated for real-time visual recognition of Cr6+ and Hg2+ ions in water. Significantly, Ru@CDs show good cytotoxicity and effective growth inhibition against cancer cells compared to CDs. So, the Ru@CDs were employed as an effective bioimaging agent selectively. To conclude, facile synthesized Ru@CDs explore its multifunctional quality as a better environmental pollutant detector and bioimaging agent. [Display omitted] •Facile highly water-soluble Ru-hold CDs were successfully prepared through simple one-step microwave-aided technique.•As prepared probe quickly detects Cr6+ and Hg2+ metal ions selectively in aqueous environment, also capable to detect in real water system.•Simple, portable, and visual detection of dual metal ions was carried out through fluorescent strips made with filter paper.•The reason for enhancement in detection of two different metal ions was discussed.•The Ru@CDs show better growth inhibition activity against (THP-1) cancer cells.