Novel β-cyclodextrin doped carbon dots for host–guest recognition-assisted sensing of isoniazid and cell imaging

In the present study, novel β-cyclodextrin doped carbon dots (CCDs) were prepared via a simple one-pot hydrothermal method at a mild temperature (140 °C), using mixtures of β-cyclodextrin and citric acid as precursors. By characterizing the chemical properties of CCDs prepared at 140 °C and 180 °C, the importance of low-temperature reaction for preservation of the specific structure of β-CD was elucidated. The CCDs showed excellent optical properties and were stable to changes in pH, ionic strength and light irradiation. Since the fluorescence of the CCDs could be selectively quenched by isoniazid (INZ) through specific host–guest recognition effects, a convenient isoniazid fluorescence sensor was developed. Under the optimal conditions, the sensor exhibited a relatively low detection limit of 0.140 μg mL(−1) and a wide detection range from 0.2 μg mL(−1) to 50 μg mL(−1) for INZ detection. Furthermore, the sensor was employed successfully for the determination of INZ in urine samples with satisfactory recovery (91.1–109.5%), displaying potential in clinical applications. Finally, low cytotoxicity of the prepared CCDs was confirmed using the CCK-8 method, followed by application in HepG2 cell imaging.