Fabrication of fluorescent carbon nanodots from laboratory paper waste for Fe3+ ions detection

Abstract

In this study, we fabricated non-toxic, highly stable, eco-friendly carbon nanodots (CD) from laboratory paper waste through a facile synthetic approach. The paper waste was converted to carbon by thermal decomposition. The carbon powder obtained was dispersed in acid using a sonication process. Subsequently, the CD was separated by centrifugation and filtration. The morphological properties of the prepared CD were analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The optical behavior of the CD was assessed using a UV–vis and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The AFM results clearly indicated that the CD had a spherical shape and sizes of ∼3–10 nm. The CD exhibited excitation-dependent photoluminescence. Finally, we assessed the metal ion selectivity of the paper waste derived CD, and utilized it as a fluorescent probe to detect Fe3+ ions. This CD fabrication approach is sustainable, cheap, and uses a renewable precursor. It also may enable the valorization of laboratory paper waste to high-value products.