A simple and robust single-step in situ synthesis of carbon dots (C-dots) within a porous silicon oxide (PSiO2) matrix is reported. The resulting new hybrid guest–host material exhibits promising capabilities as a label-free dual-mode optical biosensor via modulation of both the optical reflectance associated with the PSiO2 matrix, as well as the C-dots’ fluorescence, and these two signals can be observed and collected simultaneously. The resulting sensing platform exhibits enhanced sensitivity, improved linear response, as well as a wider dynamic range in comparison to its single components.
- Naama Massad-Ivanir
- Susanta Kumar Bhunia
- Raz Jelinek
