Through the simple liquid exfoliation method, WS2 QDs show excellent fluorescent properties. DA could form thin on the surface of WS2 QDs through the polymerization effect, leading to quenching of fluorescence. The sensing system is highly selective for DA and the limit of detection is 3.3 mu M. These results indicate that WS2 QDs are potentially applicable in optical imaging, catalysis and fluorescence sensing. The strategy might be suitable for the detection of other catecholamine. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.