Exploring Biomass-Derived Carbon Dots as Multifunctional Fluorescent Material for Metal Ion Sensing and
Keshav Dev1,2, Shiva Singh2, Shakshi Bhardwaj2
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India.
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Lead contamination in the environment severely threatens human health due to its high toxicity, particularly in water sources. Exposure to lead ions (Pb2+) can cause neurological disorders, kidney damage, and developmental impairments, necessitating the development of sensitive and selective detection methods. Biomass-derived fluorophores, such as carbon dots (CDs), have emerged as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative sensors that offer high sensitivity while overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques. This work reports a fluorescence-quenching sensor for lead ion (Pb2+) based on CDs synthesized from biomass (Saccharum spontaneum). The CDs are synthesized via a hydrothermal process. Optical studies reveal a fluorescence quenching of CDs in the presence of Pb2+ ions due to the complex formation of CDs through functional groups, enabling highly sensitive lead detection. The CDs exhibit a low detection limit of 376 nM, demonstrating its potential as a reliable lead sensor. These CDs are further explored as fluorescent ink for anticounterfeiting applications.
