A nanosensor, based on 8-hydroxyquinoline functionalized graphene oxide, was developed for the fluorescence detection of Zn2+. It showed high selectivity and sensitivity for Zn2+ion in aqueous solution over other metal ions such as Li+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Fe2+, Fe3+and Cr3+. Due to the linearity of the emission intensity toward Zn2+ concentration, fluorescent technique could be used for the detection of Zn2+ ion even at very low concentrations.
