Bright green fluorescence of microwave irradiation-synthesized Cdots as sensitive probe of iron (III)

Abstract

Carbon nanodots (Cdots) are very attractive materials due to their fluorescence and great potential in various fields. One field that still needs to be developed is heavy metal ion detector. In this study, a simple and cost efficient fluorescent detector of Fe3+ was built. This material was synthesized by microwave irradiation method using citric acid and urea with purified water as the solvent to get the optimal concentration of urea in order to produce bright green fluorescence. Synthesized Cdots with optimal concentration of urea emit bright green fluorescence under UV light radiation. This bright green fluorescence was then used to detect Fe3+. The fluorescence of this solution was quenched with the addition of Fe3+ due to transfer charges and exciton recombination. Optical characterization was carried out using UV–vis spectrophotometer, and fluorescence spectrophotometer. Results showed two absorption peaks on Cdots; at 330 nm and 410 nm. Fluorescence analysis was performed using a beam of 532 nm produced emission at a wavelength of 590 nm. In addition, structural characterization was performed using FTIR, SEM and EDX.