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Tomato-derived carbon quantum dots: composition-driven structure and copper sensing potential
Jovana Periša1, Jan Hočevar2, Bojana Milićević1
1Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11351, Serbia.
Scientific Reports
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Researchers created carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from tomato waste. These CQDs can detect copper ions with high sensitivity, offering a sustainable method for creating functional nanomaterials from agricultural byproducts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are versatile nanomaterials with unique optical properties.
- Developing sustainable and cost-effective synthesis methods for CQDs is crucial.
- Utilizing agricultural waste as a precursor offers an eco-friendly approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from tomato biomass (stems and fruits).
- To investigate the influence of precursor origin on CQD properties and luminescence.
- To evaluate the application of CQDs for sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ ions.
Main Methods:
- Green synthesis of CQDs using tomato stems and fruits as carbon precursors.
- Nitrogen doping using m-aminobenzoic acid to tune surface chemistry and optical properties.
- Characterization of CQD structure, surface chemistry, and photoluminescence.
- Assessing Cu²⁺ ion sensing capabilities via fluorescence quenching.
Main Results:
- Colloidally stable CQDs were synthesized from tomato biomass.
- Precursor origin significantly impacted CQD defect density, hybridization, and functional groups.
- CQDs exhibited excitation-dependent photoluminescence.
- Both fruit- and stem-derived CQDs showed efficient fluorescence quenching with Cu²⁺ ions.
- Sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ ions with low limits of detection (0.059 µM and 0.048 µM) was achieved.
Conclusions:
- Tomato biomass is a viable precursor for synthesizing functional CQDs.
- Biomass composition and surface chemistry critically influence CQD photophysics and sensing.
- This work presents a sustainable strategy for valorizing agricultural waste into nanomaterials for metal ion sensing.
