A simple and efficient method for the detection of quercetin was established based on the fluorescence quenching effect of quercetin toward organosilane functionalized carbon dots(SiCDs).The highly luminescent SiCDs were prepared through one step hydrothermal method,with citric acid as carbon source and organosilane as surface coating agent.The as synthesized SiCDs showed a strong emission at 450 nm when excited at 360 nm,and the fluorescence quantum yield was up to 692%.Effects of action time,pH value and carbon dots concentration on the detection of quercetin were investigated.Furthermore,the fluorescence quenching mechanism was elucidated.Under the optimal conditions,a linear fluorescence signal response to quercetin concentration was obtained in the range of 10-400 μmol/L with a correlation coefficient(r) of 0996 7,and the detection limit was 38 nmol/L.The method was applied in the detection of quercetin in practical samples with satisfactory results.