Derived Carbon Dots Research Articles

Unusual Antibacterial Property and Selectivity Enabled by Tuning Nanozyme Activities of L-Arginine Derived Carbon Dots.

Functional integration of antimicrobial activity and cell proliferation promotion at low concentrations is important for the clinical application of carbon dots (CDs). In this study, the precursor, L-arginine, and dopant, copper salt, are used to prepare copper-doped CDs (Cu-CDs). Owing to their excellent synergistic enzyme-like activities, Cu-CDs can rapidly increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) to lethal levels, preferentially in bacteria, and exhibit potent antibacterial ability, which can mainly be attributed to the membrane disruption effect. Concurrently, the cell proliferation-promoting activity of arginine-derived CDs is inherited. The Cu-CDs achieve perfect integration of dual functions at low concentrations, especially advantageous for applications. With as little as 100µgmL-1 of Cu-CDs, the infected wound heals obviously faster than 2mgmL-1 of antibiotic, although the traditional antibiotic group shows slightly better antibacterial efficiency, suggesting its effect in simultaneously scavenging bacteria and promoting tissue repair effect in vivo. The super selective mechanism probably originates from the endocytosis of Cu-CDs by mammalian cells, while superoxide dismutase down-regulates ROS levels in cells to act as a mitotic signaling agent for promoting cell growth. This strategy provides an efficient, convenient, and safe solution to combat bacterial infections, and suggests a novel approach for modifying antimicrobial biomaterials.

Synthesis of nanohybrid consisting of taurine derived carbon dots and nanoceria for anticancer applications

Here, we first synthesized carbon dots (CDs) from taurine and then a nanohybrid with ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles using thermal decomposition method for checking their antineoplastic efficacy against human triple negative mammary carcinoma cells, MDA-MB-231. The in vitro study demonstrated significant dose-dependent antineoplastic activity of the nanohybrids within a range of concentration from 10 to 50 μg/mL after 48 h of treatment. The cellular morphology analysis clearly depicted substantial amount of cell death which seems to stem from increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, the maximum anticancer activity of the nanohybrid as compared to bare CDs and CeO2 is supposed to be due to the combined anticancer effect of both CDs and CeO2 (a well-established antitumor agent). Further we have performed molecular docking study to reveal the anticancer mechanism of CDs which exhibited high binding capacity towards several proapoptotic and antiapoptotic protein molecules. The binding affinity values were found to be – 8.7 kcal/mol, – 7.9 kcal/mol, – 9.6 kcal/mol, – 9.5 kcal/mol, – 12 kcal/mol and – 11.1 kcal/mol for BAD, BCl-2, p53, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 respectively. Taken together, our synthesized CDs-CeO2 nanohybrid could be thought as a potential anticarcinogenic option in the field of breast cancer therapeutics.

Unveiling the Effect of Dilution on the Optical Response of Folic Acid Derived Carbon Dots: Role of Surface Interactions and Inner Filter Effect

Unveiling the Effect of Dilution on the Optical Response of Folic Acid Derived Carbon Dots: Role of Surface Interactions and Inner Filter Effect

Porous g-C3N4 tubes in-situ anchored by waste biomass-derived carbon dots for photocatalytic reduction of sunset yellow and Escherichia coli in juice

Chemical hazardous substances and hazardous pathogenic bacteria pose a serious risk to human health. The development of efficient, safe and simple removal technologies is urgent. In this study, waste biomass derived carbon dots in-situ anchored porous g-C3N4 tubes were prepared by supramolecular self-assembly method. The prepared photocatalyst exhibited enhanced light absorption, large surface area, and abundant reactive sites. Photoelectrochemical analyses confirmed that the introduction of CDs could effectively promote the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers with enhanced degradation of sunset yellow (95.4 %) and inactivation of Escherichia coli (98.3 %) under visible light. Furthermore, the development of g-C3N4 loaded floatable porous alginate sponges for the simultaneous removal of E. coli and sunset yellow from fruit juices, obtaining efficient purification results and satisfactory overall acceptability. This work provides a feasible pathway for photocatalytic decontamination of contaminated liquid food.

Algae derived carbon dots and its polymeric composites for white light emission

Nanomaterials with multicolor emission have been of great interest due to their versatility. Recently, environmentally friendly carbon dots (CDs) with excitation wavelength/solvent/dopant dependent emission have been used for designing different types of white light emitting diodes (W-LED). In this work, single-green precursor (Arthrospira platensis) derived CDs from a one-step hydro/solvothermal synthesis, have been implemented in the elaboration of W-LEDs. The white emission of CDs was modulated by the solvent engineering and doping strategies. A CDs/PVA composite based W-LED with a color render index (CRI) upper to ∼90 %, Commission Internationale Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.31, 0.33) and correlated color temperature (CCT) of 6500 K is demonstrated. These findings suggest that white CDs derived from A. platensis possess promising potential in the field of optoelectronic devices, especially in the production of efficient and high-quality white illumination.

Pyrene carbaldehyde derived carbon dots for detecting water in alcohol and security printing

This study focuses on preparing Carbon dots (CDs) from Pyrene-1-carbaldehyde (PCA) using a solvothermal method and further purification using column chromatography. The aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of CDs was systematically investigated in a THF/water medium. The CDs showed red shifts in their photoluminescence (PL) spectra upon increase in water content. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images revealed the formation of aggregates, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the d-spacing values remains unchanged. The NMR spectrum of the CDs displayed peaks corresponding to aromatic carbon, which disappeared upon addition of water due to π-π stacking, indicating aggregate formation. Based on the aggregation-induced fluorescence emission mechanism, detection of water content in alcohol is demonstrated. Moreover, the synthesized CDs were used as fluorescent colorant in screen inks along with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as binders. The print proofs obtained on UV-dull paper using PVA-based screen ink exhibited fluorescence emission at longer wavelengths and showcased desirable photostability under prolonged UV exposure compared to the prints obtained using HEC-based ink. Moreover, though the PVA based print appeared blue or cyan fluorescent, the actual yellow emissions from the CDs can be visualised using UV block filter. Such features, masked to the forger, but known to the user can be utilised in checking the authenticity of the print.

Biomass based nanofiber membrane composite with xylan derived carbon dots for fluorescence detection nitrite in food real samples

In our latest research endeavor, we are proud to present an innovative approach to the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) derived from the biomass xylan, which we have termed P-CDs. These P-CDs are meticulously integrated with a state-of-the-art biomass nanofiber membrane composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA), resulting in the creation of a novel solid-state fluorescent sensor, designated as NFP-CDs. This cutting-edge sensor has been meticulously engineered for the highly sensitive and specific detection of nitrite ions (NO2−), a critical parameter in various fields. The NFP-CDs sensor stands out for its user-friendly design, cost-effective production, and portable nature, making it an ideal choice for rapid and visible nitrite ion detection. It exhibits an extraordinary response time of less than 1 s, which is a testament to its high sensitivity. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrates exceptional selectivity and specificity, with a remarkably low detection threshold of 0.36 μM. This is achieved through a sophisticated dual detection mechanism that synergistically combines colorimetric and spectral analyses, ensuring accurate and reliable results. In addition to its impressive technical specifications, the NFP-CDs sensor has been rigorously tested and validated for its efficacy in detecting nitrite ions in real-world samples. These samples include a diverse range of food products such as rock sugar, preserved mustard, kimchi, and canned fish. The sensor has demonstrated a remarkable recovery rate, which varies from 99 % to 106 %, highlighting its potential for practical application in nitrite ion detection. This research not only offers a robust and effective strategy for the detection of nitrite ions but also carries profound implications for enhancing food safety and bolstering environmental monitoring efforts. The development of the NFP-CDs sensor represents a significant step forward in the field of sensor technology, providing a powerful tool for the detection of nitrite ions and contributing to the broader goals of public health and environmental stewardship.

On-site monitoring of L-adrenaline neurotransmitter in biological samples by chitosan oligosaccharide derived carbon dots

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) are fascinating fluorescent nanomaterial for spectrofluorimetry sensor applications, owing to the fact of its strong chemical stability, high quantum yield and high photostability. At this instance, we have developed the fluorescent sensing technique to detect the L-adrenaline (L-Adr) by nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots as a sensing probe. The nitrogen-doped carbon dots was synthesized using chitosan oligosaccharide by hydrothermal method. The synthesized chitosan oligosaccharide derived CDs (COL-CDs) exhibits blue fluorescence under UV light and the size of the carbon quantum dots is 3.39 ± 0.08 nm calculated from HR-TEM image. The hormone called L-Adr found in the human body is crucial for controlling visceral processes. Utilizing the process of photo-induced electron transfer (PET), the previously mentioned COL-CDs have applied to sense the L-Adr. The sensing mechanism have explained clearly using Rehm-Weller equation by calculating ΔG. Tap water, blood serum, urine and adrenaline drug samples employed as real sample for the sensing L-Adr. A reagent free paper-based kit established for the purpose of on-site monitoring L-Adr. The smartphone’s colour picker software used to measure the RGB intensity from the paper-based kit.

Effective Enrichment of Free Radicals through Nanoconfinement Boosts Electrochemiluminescence of Carbon Dots Derived from Luminol.

Local enrichment of free radicals at the electrode interface may open new opportunities for the development of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) applications. The sensing platform was constructed by assembling ECL-emitting luminol derived carbon dots (Lu CDs) onto the heterojunction Tungsten disulfide/Covalent organic frameworks (WS2@COF) for the first time, establishing a nanoconfinement-reactor with significantly heightened ECL intensity and stability compared to the Lu CDs-H2O2 system. This enhanced performance is credited to the COF domain's restricted pore environment, where WS2@COF exhibits a more negative adsorption energy for H2O2, effectively enriching H2O2 in the catalytic edge sites of WS2. Furthermore, the internal electric field at the WS2 and COF interface accelerates electron flow, boosting WS2's catalytic activity and achieving domain-limited catalytic enhancement of ECL. Self-designed DNA nanomachines combined with cascading molecular keypad locking mechanisms are integrated into the biosensors, effectively guaranteeing the accuracy of the sensing process while providing crucial safeguards for molecular diagnostics and information security applications. In essence, this innovative approach represents the first system to enhance local free radical concentrations by enriching co-reactants on the electrode surface through nanoconfinement catalysis, yielding heightened ECL luminescence intensity. The potential impact of this novel strategy and sensing mechanism on real-bioanalysis applications is promising.

Effective Enrichment of Free Radicals through Nanoconfinement Boosts Electrochemiluminescence of Carbon Dots Derived from Luminol

Local enrichment of free radicals at the electrode interface may open new opportunities for the development of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) applications. The sensing platform was constructed by assembling ECL‐emitting luminol derived carbon dots (Lu CDs) onto the heterojunction Tungsten disulfide/Covalent organic frameworks (WS2@COF) for the first time, establishing a nanoconfinement‐reactor with significantly heightened ECL intensity and stability compared to the Lu CDs‐H2O2 system. This enhanced performance is credited to the COF domain's restricted pore environment, where WS2@COF exhibits a more negative adsorption energy for H2O2, effectively enriching H2O2 in the catalytic edge sites of WS2. Furthermore, the internal electric field at the WS2 and COF interface accelerates electron flow, boosting WS2's catalytic activity and achieving domain‐limited catalytic enhancement of ECL. Self‐designed DNA nanomachines combined with cascading molecular keypad locking mechanisms are integrated into the biosensors, effectively guaranteeing the accuracy of the sensing process while providing crucial safeguards for molecular diagnostics and information security applications. In essence, this innovative approach represents the first system to enhance local free radical concentrations by enriching co‐reactants on the electrode surface through nanoconfinement catalysis, yielding heightened ECL luminescence intensity. The potential impact of this novel strategy and sensing mechanism on real‐bioanalysis applications is promising.

Rational design of Boerhavia diffusa derived CoFe2O4-Carbon dots@Boehmite platform for photocatalysis and ultra trace monitoring of hazardous pesticide and UO22+ ions

In view of exploiting natural resources for designing of effectual materials in favor of detection and obliteration of water pollutants, a fluorescent nanomaterial (CDBHCF) based on biomass derived carbon dots (CDs) was constructed. The CDs and cobalt ferrite (CF) particles were anchored on boehmite (BH) which served as a support material for CDs. The CDBHCF nanocomposite was prepared via facile hydrothermal treatment for selective recognition of Methyl parathion (MP) pesticide and uranyl ions (UO22+). The corresponding structural, morphological and opto-electronic properties of the nanomaterials have been investigated by different physicochemical techniques. The fluorescent CDBHCF probe was employed to detect extremely low concentration of MP and UO22+ with detection limit of 22.4 nM and 4.4 nM, respectively. Ultimately, the proposed sensing platform was validated through real sample analysis. Besides, CDBHCF nanocomposite was utilized for photocatalytic abolition of Tetracycline (TC) in water samples. Initially, the impact of various operational parameters on the degradation efficiency, including catalyst dosage and initial pH were thoroughly examined. Under optimized conditions, the fabricated CDBHCF nanocomposite demonstrated excellent results for photocatalytic degradation of TC (92 % degradation in 120 min) under visible light illumination. Thus, the proposed strategy delivered an innovative insight for dual purpose of CDBHCF nanocomposite: as a fluorescent probe for real time monitoring and as a photocatalyst for removal of pollutants via simple photocatalytic degradation.

Intercalation of novel Ocimum Sanctum leaves derived carbon dots between g-C3N4/CoFe2O4 Z-scheme heterojunction system for boosting the radicals’ generation in photo-Fenton degradation and synchronized electrochemical sensing of sulfamethoxazole antibiotic

Deeming about incessant consumption and disposal of pharmaceutical antibiotics in natural water bodies, this study demonstrates the synthesis of a novel Tulsi leaves (Ocimum Sanctum) derived carbon dots modified Z-scheme g-C3N4/CoFe2O4 heterojunction system. Characterization techniques namely XRD, FT-IR, XPS, FE-SEM, HR-TEM and EDX supported composite formation. Fabricated catalysts presented excellent photocatalytic performance towards removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). UV–vis DRS, PL and EIS findings suggested the augmented visible light absorption capability, suppression of electron-hole pairs recombination and effective separation of charge carriers which were accountable for degradation process. Probable mechanistic pathway for SMX removal was photo-Fenton assisted with Z-scheme separated electron-hole pairs via activation of H2O2, where hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were main reactive species. Additionally, the prepared material was employed as electrochemical sensor for individual as well as simultaneous detection of SMX and trimethoprim with quite impressive detection limits of 0.042 µM and 0.047 µM, respectively.

Controlled preparation of tannic acid-derived carbonized dotsand their use to inhibit amyloid aggregation and promote aggregate disaggregation.

Tannic acid (TA)-derived carbon dots (TACDs) were synthesized for the first time via a solvothermal method using TA as one of the raw materials, which may effectively inhibit amyloid fibril aggregation and disaggregate mature fibril. The fluorescent property of TACDs were modulated by adjusting the ratio of TA to o-phenylenediamine (oPD), and TACDs fabricated with the precursor ratio as 1:1 showed the best fluorescent property. Circular dichroism spectra (CD) showed that the structure of β-sheet decreased as the concentration of TACDs increased. The inhibition efficiency, as confirmed by thioflavin T (ThT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), is extraordinary at 98.16%, whereas disaggregation efficiency is noteworthy at 97.97%, and the disaggregated lysozyme fibrils did not reaggregate after 7 days. More critically, TACDs can also alleviate the cellular toxicity caused by Aβ fibrils and improve cell viability. This work offers a new perspective on the design of scavengers for amyloid plaques.

Fruit Peel Derived Carbon Dots for Improved Curcumin Delivery: A Promising Strategy for Enhanced Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity

AbstractCurcumin, known for its proapoptotic, chemo‐preventive, chemo‐therapeutic, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties, suffers from poor bioavailability, limiting its applications. This study aims to enhance curcumin's bioavailability using carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from fruit peels as a novel nano formulation. CDs were synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis using banana and orange peels as carbon sources, and functionalized with curcumin to improve its solubility and cellular uptake. The synthesis and functionalization of CDs were confirmed using Fluorescence spectrophotometer, FT‐IR, and HR‐TEM. The curcumin‐loaded CDs exhibited superior antimicrobial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 22 μg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), 11 μg/mL for Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and 22 μg/mL for Bacillus cereus (B. cereus). Additionally, the developed CDs demonstrated enhanced antioxidant activity compared to curcumin in DMSO. The findings indicate that curcumin‐loaded CDs significantly increase the biological activity of curcumin, offering a promising approach for its incorporation into functional foods, beverages, and pharmaceutical products. This study highlights the novel use of CDs to overcome the bioavailability issues of water‐insoluble bioactive compounds like curcumin, presenting a significant advancement in nano‐formulation technology.

Vaccinium corymbosum–Derived Carbon Dots and Anthocyanin‐Infused Gelatin Multifunctional Films for Smart Packaging Applications

ABSTRACTConsumers and food industry stakeholders have expressed great interest in using simple, non‐destructive and inexpensive methods to control/maintain or monitor the freshness of perishable foods. The idea of smart packaging has been introduced to address these requirements satisfactorily, revolutionizing conventional food packaging. Vaccinium corymbosum (VC)–based carbon dots (CDs) and anthocyanin were matrixed on gelatin (GEL) to fabricate smart packaging film. The VC biowaste–derived carbon dots (VC‐CDs) were characterized using photoluminescence, fluorescence spectrometry, FTIR, antibacterial/antioxidant potential, TEM and XPS analysis. Fabricated films were subjected to physico‐chemical, antioxidant and optical properties, SEM, TGA simulation and in vivo food model system. The VC‐CDs exhibited excellent functional properties like ultraviolet (UV) blocking and antibacterial properties. The reinforcement with 1.5% VC‐CDs and 6% VC anthocyanins (VCA) in the GEL polymer matrix improved UV blocking (> 189%) properties and showed potent antioxidant potential (> 164%) compared to the neat GEL film. In vivo food packaging (minced pork, fish and shrimp) with films has shown that indicator films work efficiently and non‐destructively and monitor real‐time freshness. The GEL/VC‐CDs/VCA‐based active and intelligent films are expected to be applied as multifunctional nanocomposite packaging materials that can indicate quality changes in real time, maintain quality and prolong the shelf life of packaged foods.

Self-assembled mesoporous silica decorated with biogenic carbon dot nanospheres hybrid nanomaterial for efficient removal of aqueous Methoxy-DDT via a Short-Bed Adsorption column technique

Methoxy-DDT is an organochlorine pesticide extensively used in agricultural practices as a DDT substitute. Methoxy-DDT has been found and quantified in several investigations in groundwater, drinking water, sediment, and various biota. Therefore, designing efficient and cost-effective adsorbents for removing methoxy-DDT is vital. In this work, we embedded Ficus benghalensis L. derived carbon dots (CDs) in mesoporous silica (MS) to fabricate MS-CDs nanohybrid material. MS-CDs nanohybrid exhibited remarkable selectivity and removal efficiency towards methoxy-DDT, outperforming other endocrine disruptors. Parameters for industrial-scale fixed-bed adsorption columns, such as bed capacity, length, and breakthrough times, were analyzed. The kinetic study revealed that pseudo-second-order (PSO) adsorption and isotherm analysis confirmed the Langmuir model as the best fit. Small bed adsorption (SBA) column analysis was carried out using spiked Yamuna river water, and the breakthrough curves were demonstrated by varying MS-CDs bed height. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained for methoxy-DDT was 17.16 mg/g at breakthrough and 49.98 mg/g at exhaustion. The adsorbent showed 86.53% removal efficiency in the 5th cycle, demonstrating good reusability. These results indicate that the developed material MS-CDs-based organic sphere is an effective adsorbent for aqueous methoxy-DDT adsorption and can be applied to wastewater treatment.

Chinese food seasoning derived carbon dots for highly selective detection of Fe3+ and smartphone-based dual-color fluorescence ratiometric visualization sensing

Carbon dots were obtained from Tangshai, a Chinese food seasoning, using a simple and green method through dialysis. Tangshai-derived carbon dots (TSCD) exhibited unique fluorescent emission properties that can be selectively suppressed by Fe3+ over other heavy metal ions including Fe2+. Based on the Benesi-Hildebrand equations study, a ten times larger coordination constant of Fe3+-TSCD than that of Fe2+-TSCD was obtained, which proved the highly selective superiority. Therefore, a fluorescence quenching method for sensitive detection of Fe3+ was established with two linear ranges of 1–80 µmol L−1 and 200–500 µmol L−1 and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.41 µmol L−1 (3σ). The real sample detection was performed with satisfactory and validated results. Besides, coupled with orange emissive carbon dots (OCD) whose fluorescence can be enhanced by Fe3+, a dual-color fluorescence ratiometric sensor for Fe3+ was established from the opposite fluorescence responses, and visualization sensing was actuated by a smartphone. This work facilely extracted CDs from Chinese food seasoning and revealed the mechanism of selective sensing for Fe3+, facilitating the green synthesis of CDs and heavy metal ions sensing.

Effect of reaction temperatures on optical properties of clove buds derived carbon dots for targeting nucleolus

This work pacts with a simple and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method to synthesize clove buds-derived carbon dots (CCDs) at different temperatures. Five CCDs samples were synthesized at different reaction temperatures ranging from 120 °C to 200 °C, respectively. Using UV–Visible (UV–Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FL), the optical characteristics of CCDs made at various temperatures were examined and compared. The results show that the optical properties of prepared carbon dots (CDs) are significantly influenced by the temperature of carbonization. The cytocompatibility and hemolysis studies of optimized CCDs were performed to understand their interaction in the biological environment. The free radical scavenging capability of CDs was also explored. Further, in vitro cellular imaging of optimized CCDs200 was performed which shows strong and multicolour emission when excited with different laser sources. Interestingly, CDs are capable of brightening up RNA-rich nucleoli. Testing using ribonuclease digestion validates the localization of the CCDs in the nucleolus. Further, intracellular stability and good counterstaining compatibility feature them as a promising fluorescence probe for nucleolus imaging. Therefore, we have explored medicinal plant fruits as a carbon precursor for the synthesis of CDs without using any modifier which can be a potential candidate for multicolour nucleolus imaging and free radical scavenging applications.

Enhancing the stability of DSSC by Co-activation of microwave synthesized TiO2 with biomass derived carbon dots

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that utilize natural dyes have garnered interest due to their low cost, eco-friendly manufacturing process, and competitive photovoltaic performance. However, their efficiency and stability issues have hindered their widespread implementation. To enhance their performance, this paper proposes a novel approach of modifying the photoanode with carbon dots (CDs) to align the band gap for easier carrier collection. The material properties were thoroughly characterized by examining their structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) was synthesized using the microwave-assisted solvothermal method, while nitrogen-doped CDs derived from Citrus medica fruit juice were prepared using a simple hydrothermal treatment. Three sets of Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (NDSSC) devices were created using co-activated photoanode (CD/TiO2) and unmodified photoanode (TiO2) with Platisol T/sp coated ITO serving as the counter electrode. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and Onion (Allium cepa) peel extracts were utilized as sensitizers and Iodolyte HI-30 as the electrolyte. The most efficient device attained an efficiency of 3.5 % with Voc = 0.81 V and Jsc = 6.57 mA/cm2. This marks the highest efficiency reported using Hibiscus as a sensitizer with the current configuration, accompanied by prolonged device stability. This study showcases the potential of Citrus medica-derived nitrogen-doped CDs in achieving durable device stability.

Carbon dots functionalized polyaniline as efficient sensing platform for cancer biomarker detection

Implementing simple and rapid detection of cancer biomarker using biosensors has the potential to contribute greatly to basic biological research and early detection of cancer. Tailoring of biosensor matrix based on conducting polymers has gained significant attention in recent years due to its electroactivity, redox property and biocompatibility. Herein, biomass derived carbon dots (CDs) were anchored on polyaniline (PANI) surface to get biocompatible and fluorescent, carbon dots functionalized polyaniline (CDs@PANI) that enable binding of large amount of prostate cancer biomarker, prostate specific antigen (PSA) antibody on its surface via active functional groups. Immobilization efficiency of CDs@PANI was investigated by electrochemical methods which revealed dense immobilization of biomolecules on CDs@PANI as compared to conventional PANI. A sandwich electrochemical biosensor was constructed using CDs@PANI as immobilization matrix for detection of prostate cancer biomarker PSA. The sensor displayed good sensitivity, specificity, stability, reproducibility, wide linear range (0.01–60 ng/ml) and a low detection limit of 20 pg/ml. The importance of CDs in improving the sensor performance was demonstrated by carrying out detailed electrochemical studies using glucose oxidase as a model biomolecule. Biocompatibility of sensing matrix was assessed by performing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for cell viability using WI26 cells. The sensing platform demonstrated herein provides great potential for the detection of different cancer biomarkers and metabolites.