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Abstract
In this study, biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized by an one-step hydrothermal method using folium cycas as a carbon source. By optimizing the reaction conditions, the fluorescence quantum yield of CQDs was obtained to be as high as 8.91%, and strong blue emission light was emitted. The characterization results showed that the CQDs were quasi-spherical with an average particle size of 2.69 ± 0.08 nm and contained a large number of hydrophilic functional groups with excellent water solubility and photostability. The CQDs showed high selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of Fe3+, with a low limit of detection of 0.72 μM and a wide linear range of 0–200 μM. The practical applicability of the CQDs was further established by carrying out Fe3+ detection in environmental sample analysis. Besides, CQDs have been successfully applied to in vitro cell imaging and bioimaging. The final by-product of the hydrothermal reaction, biochar, is used for dye adsorption. This work identifies the importance of using a relatively green process and an inexpensive biomass precursor to produce high-quality CQDs that hold a promising future for use in metal ion detection, bioimaging, and practical sensing applications.
Acknowledgments
We thank Shiyanjia Lab (www.shiyanjia.com) for assistance during the preparation of this manuscript. This research was financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Qinghai (No. 2024-ZJ-926) and Project Fund of Salt Lake Chemical Engineering Research Complex, Qinghai University (No. 2023-DXSSZZ-08).
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Yongzheng Yin
Yongzheng Yin received his B.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from Qinghai University in Xining, China, in 2021. He is currently pursuing his M.S. degree in chemical technology at Qinghai University, Xining, China. His research interests are in fluorescent sensors. E-mail: [email protected]
Huanhuan Lu
Huanhuan Lu received her B.S. degree in applied chemistry from Yancheng Normal College, Yancheng, China, in 2022. She is currently pursuing her M.S. degree at the College of Chemical Technology, Qinghai University, Xining, China. Her research interests are in fluorescent nanomaterials. E-mail: [email protected].
Yongfeng Zhao
Yongfeng Zhao received her B.S. degree from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China; She is currently pursuing her M.S. degree at the College of Chemical Technology, Qinghai University, Xining, China. Her research interests are in Fluorescent sensing composites. E-mail: [email protected].
Chunyan Sun
Chunyan Sun received her B.S. degree in chemical education from Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China, in 2003; the M.S. degree in inorganic chemistry from Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China, in 2006; and the Ph.D. degree in physical chemistry from Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China, in 2009. Her research interests include materials chemistry, analytical chemistry, and salt-lake chemistry. E-mail: [email protected]. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0151-5762
Xiaofeng Hu
Xiaofeng Hu received his B.S. degree from Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China, in 2003; the M.S. degree from Nanchang University, Nanchang, China, in 2008; and the Ph.D. degree in chemistry from East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China, in 2019. His research interest is atmospheric environmental Science research. Email: [email protected]