Biogenic carbon dots as dual mode luminescent sensors for hydrazine and ethanol

Carbon dots have gained considerable research attention owing to their excellent optical properties and environmental compatibility. In this study, a one-step hydrothermal synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) is reported using guava extract as a bio-based source. These as-prepared carbon dots were characterized by spectroscopic techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis was used to study their structure and particle size. The characterization results revealed that the CDs had strong blue luminescence, a high density of oxygen-containing surface functional groups and an amorphous carbon structure. The UV-vis spectrum exhibited typical absorption peaks referred to as π-π* and n-π* transitions, and the fluorescence spectrum indicated the presence of excitation-dependent emission and optimal luminescence in the blue region. The presence of surface groups like hydroxyl, carboxyl and ether groups, as confirmed by FTIR analysis, imparts good hydrophilicity to the luminescent carbon dots. The synthesized carbon dots demonstrated excellent fluorescence-based sensing behavior, showing significant quenching in the presence of hydrazine and enhancement in luminescence upon ethanol exposure. The observed sensing behavior is attributed to the electron transfer interactions between the surface groups of the CDs and analytes.