To achieve a new type of carbon-based quantum dots with unique photoluminescence PL a simple approach for fabrication of graphene quantum dots GQDs with oxygen-rich groups was developed via the hydrothermal reaction by using graphene oxides GOs as a precursor. Transmission electron microscope TEM and atomic force microscope AFM characterizations confirmed that the sizes and heights of GQDs were 5.02±0.92 nm and 0.6 nm respectively.A strong PL emission exhibited unique excitation wavelength dependent features.Also the carbene-like free zigzag edge sites were proposed to be the origin of the strong PL emission.The GQDs were demonstrated to be a superior probe for Fe3＋ detection in aqueous solution with a high sensitivity and feasibility due to the special coordinate interaction between Fe3＋and the phenolic hydroxyl group at GQDs.
