Fluorescent dual-mode sensor for the determination of graphene oxide and catechin in environmental or food field

The novel fluorescent sensor is proposed in this work based on the competitive interactions between the known bioactive compounds, riboflavin and catechin, which act as guests, and graphene oxide (GO) material that acts as host. Specifically, this proposal is based on an indicator displacement assay which allows the detection of GO and catechin (fluorescence quenching of riboflavin signal by GO and increase in fluorescence by catechin on the GO–riboflavin system). Three GO structures with different lateral dimensions and thickness were synthesized and tested, being able to be the three differentiated depending on the attenuation capacity of the fluorescent signal that each one possesses. The environmental analytical control of GO is more and more important, being this method sensitive and selective in the presence of other potential interferent substances. On the other hand, the other sensing capacity of the sensor also allows the determination of catechin in food samples based on the formation of riboflavin–GO complex. It is a rapid, simple and non-expensive procedure. Thus, the same 2D nanomaterial (GO) is seen to play a double role in this sensing strategy (analyte and analytical tool for the determination of another compound).