Development of sensitive biomass xylan-based carbon dots fluorescence sensor for quantification detection Cu2+ in real water and soil

Abstract

Copper ions (Cu2+) pose significant risks to both human health and the environment as they tend to accumulate in soil and water. To address this issue, an innovative method using biomass-derived fluorescent carbon dots (D-CDs) synthesized via a hydrothermal process, with xylan serving as the carbon source was developed. D-CDs solution exhibited remarkable sensitivity and selectivity as a fluorescence sensor for Cu2+, boasting a low detection threshold of 0.64 μM. In order to facilitate real-time monitoring of Cu2+, solid-state fluorescent nanofiber membrane (NFD-CDs) through electrospinning was engineered. Additionally, D-CDs demonstrated successful Cu2+ detection in various real water samples, including those sourced from Xuanwu Lake, the Yangtze River, tap water, and bottled water, with accurate recovery rates observed. As a result, this research introduces a dual-mode analytical system for onsite detection of Cu2+ in real scenarios. By harnessing biomass-derived fluorescent CDs materials and solid-state fluorescence sensors, this approach offers a promising solution for addressing the challenges associated with Cu2+ contamination.