Hydrothermally synthesized fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots for catalytic efficiency and anti-counterfeiting application

Abstract

Here, Tylophora indica plant extract was utilized to create nitrogen-doped carbon dots by hydrothermal method. The synthesized NDCDs was employed to anti-counterfeiting and enhancing the catalytic activity of Malachite Green dye. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and FT-IR measurements was used to analyze the optical properties and the development of NDCDs as well as the source of Tylophora indica. Using HR-TEM, XRD, and XPS, the structure and elemental contents of the produced NDCDs was investigated. The HRTEM images showed that the NDCDs had a d-spacing of 0.37 nm and an average particle size of 4.3 ± 1 nm. After being subjected to UV light at 365 nm, the produced NDCDs began to glow blue, with a quantum yield (QY) of 16.1 %. The ID and IG ratio values for NDCDs were found to be 0.86. With rate constant values calculated at 0.1830 min−1, respectively, the synthesized NDCDs were found to be a viable catalyst for the Malachite Green (MG) dye reduction process utilizing freshly prepared NaBH4. In addition, the NDCDs solution is used as fluorescent ink. The printed patterns retain their anti-counterfeiting properties even after being heated and stored in an environment for an extended period, indicating the NDCDs stability for prospective anti-counterfeiting applications.