Synchronized sensing and annihilation of virulent organo-contaminants in water bodies using a highly fluorescent novel nanohybrid of Tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum) leaves derived carbon dots and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles

Abstract

Tulsi Leaves were used to fabricate highly fluorescent carbon dots (TCDs), which were evenly anchored on the surface of NiFe2O4 (NF) through facile hydrothermal route to design smart magnetically retrievable fluorescent nanohybrids NFTCDs, not reported hitherto. NFTCDs initially assess the quantity of hazardous contaminants in aqueous samples and then eradicate them through photo-Fenton degradation mechanism. The fluorescent probe displayed ultra-trace detection limit towards PNP (65 nM), DNP (74 nM), TNP (78 nM), MET (57 nM), and DCNA (100 nM) with superior photocatalytic removal efficiencies (>86%) in comparison to pristine NF nanoparticles. Further, the smart platform based on NFTCDs presented satisfactory reliabilities and accuracies for quantification of baneful toxins in real samples with recyclability up to four cycles. Thus, this work provides a novel NFTCDs nanohybrid which can be well-used to design an intelligent platform to synchronize the monitoring and extirpation of the deleterious contaminants for human safety.