An Innovative Microwave-Assisted One-Step Green Synthetic Approach of Biowaste Derived Fluorescent Carbon-Dot Invisible Ink for Currency Anti-Counterfeiting Applications

Abstract

The quest for the design and synthesis of carbon dots with anti-counterfeit properties that are derived via green, environmentally friendly and economical procedures is a continuous process. Carbon dots (C-dots) derived from biowaste are cheap to synthesize, possess good photo-stability and high synthetic yield, making them applicable in the anti-counterfeiting of currency. Herein, we report a novel eco-friendly, cheaper, and faster method for the synthesis of carbon dots with strong photoluminescence properties from monkey orange fruit (Strychnos spinosa) biowaste. The presence of the hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups of the carbon dots were determined by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The carbon dots showed strong blue emission fluorescence (emission wavelength of 452[Formula: see text]nm) when excited at 330[Formula: see text]nm. The morphology and size were determined by the atomic force microscopy (AFM) which indicated amorphous and spherical nanoparticles with an average size of less than 2[Formula: see text]nm. The no-crystallinity of the as-prepared carbon dots was confirmed using X-ray diffraction which showed the graphite-like structure. The carbon dots were produced and demonstrated good photo and chemical stability as well as high covert properties. The anti-counterfeiting of currency application by the synthesized carbon dots was demonstrated when the subsequent gel ink printed on the currency showed excellent chemical stability when exposed to washing with water, ethanol, and acetone. It also showed superior photostability when exposed to UV light at 365[Formula: see text]nm and daylight for an extended period of up to 6[Formula: see text]h. This work provides a facile, economical, and green approach for large scale production of carbon dots from the abundant biowaste.