Abstract
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as a rising star of carbon nanomaterials have extensive applications due to their excellent characteristics. In this work, we introduce a simple and green method to prepare nitrogen-doped lignin carbon quantum dots (N-L-CQDs) by using alkali lignin carbon sources and deep eutectic solvent (DES) as solution and nitrogen source. The physiochemical characterization results suggested that N-L-CQDs with diameters ranging from 4 to 12 nm were successfully synthesized. The optical properties data indicated that the as-prepared N-L-CQDs with a quantum yield of 7.95% exhibited excellent optoelectronic properties, excitation-dependent and pH stability. After that, we have investigated the N-L-CQDs used as fluorescent probes to detect iron ions, which suggested that the as-prepared N-L-CQDs exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity for Fe3+ with a detection limit of 0.44 μM. Besides, cytotoxicity of N-L-CQDs was also evaluated by MTT assay. These results demonstrated that the as-prepared N-L-CQDs with excellent properties have potential applications in environment and biomedicine.
Highlights
Carbon quanta dots (CQDs), can be called organic carbon quantum dots, and are a new type of carbon nanomaterials
The images of Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) clearly revealed that the as-prepared N-L-CQDs with a size distributed in a3.ranging to 12 nm were monodisperse and quasi-spherical
Resultsfrom and 4Discussion the image recorded by high resolution TEM (HRTEM), indicating the average lattice spacing of 0.33 nm, which be attributed to the (002) plane of graphite [44]
Summary
Carbon quanta dots (CQDs), can be called organic carbon quantum dots, and are a new type of carbon nanomaterials. Synthesized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from alkaline lignin, the prepared GQDs with the properties of excellent photoluminescence can be used for multicolored bioimaging [31]. The quantum dots synthesized from lignin showed excellent optical properties and possessed widespread applications. The as-prepared nitrogen-doped lignin carbon quantum dots (N-L-CQDs) displayed excellent fluorescence, low toxicity, and photochemical stability. The synthesis of N-L-CQDs s as fluorescent sensors offer a simple, sensitive, selective, easy to handle, and low-cost approach for assaying metal ions in biological and environmental aspects. 2018, 10, s as fluorescent sensors offer a simple, sensitive, selective, easy to handle, and low-cost approach for assaying metal ions in biological and environmental aspects.
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