A fluorescent sensor based on sulfur nanodots encapsulated into zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 for ultrasensitive detection of tartrazine

The synthesis of SDs@ZIF-8 and its utilization in tartrazine assay. [Display omitted] •A new fluorescent sensor (SDs@ZIF-8) was fabricated by embedding sulfur nanodots into ZIF-8 via a facile one-pot approach.•A sensitive and selective method for the detection of tartrazine was proposed by using SDs@ZIF-8 as fluorescent sensor for the first time.•The sensor was applied in the detection of tartrazine in real samples and satisfactory results were obtained. A new composite material (SDs@ZIF-8) was synthesized by integrating sulfur nanodots (SDs) into metal-organic frameworks (ZIF-8) through a facile one-step self-assembly strategy. The obtained SDs@ZIF-8 has not only the high adsorption performance of ZIF-8 but also the superior fluorescence characteristics of SDs. The composite featured good dispersibility, stable structure as well as excellent fluorescence in water solution, and can be used as an ideal fluorescent sensor for tartrazine detection. Due to the high specific surface area and adsorption performance of ZIF-8, the prepared composite material can significantly enrich tartrazine, further enhancing the sensitivity of analysis. The fluorescence of SDs @ZIF-8 composite can be effectively quenched by tartrazine through the inner filter effect. The sensing technique exhibited exceptional sensitivity, as evidenced by its impressive detection limit of 6.5 nM across a broad linear range spanning from 0.02 to 90 μM. In addition to its high sensitivity, the technique displayed rapid response times and excellent selectivity. Moreover, the fluorescent sensing technology we developed has been employed successfully for the detection of tartrazine in real samples, which is expected to promote the development of the food safety industry.