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Facile green synthesis of carbon quantum dots and biomass-derived activated carbon from banana peels: synthesis and investigation

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Abstract

We introduce a simple, low-cost, and environment friendly method to obtain high-fluorescence carbon dots and activated carbon via a one-step hydrothermal process using banana peels. The dispersion of carbon dots generated strong, bright-blue photoluminescence (average diameter 3–6 nm), which could be further used in biosensing, electronics, and catalysis applications research. Moreover, the precipitation accumulated at the bottom of the hydrothermal process contained activated carbon with a highly porous structure and large specific surface area (294.6 m2 g−1), which could be used as a supercapacitor electrode. The three-electrode cell exhibited excellent capability and stability of the activated carbon as the working electrode in various aqueous electrolytes, with a high specific capacitance (199 F g−1) in an aqueous electrolyte (1-M KOH) and a high energy density of 54.15 Wh kg−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Thus, based on the excellent characteristics of the carbon dots and the strong electrochemical properties of the activated carbon as an electrode material, the banana peels, as an abundant bioresource, can provide two excellent produces.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Dai Co Viet Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Trong Nghia Nguyen

  2. Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Danang, 550000, Vietnam

    Phuoc Anh Le

  3. Faculty of Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Danang, 550000, Vietnam

    Phuoc Anh Le

  4. Institute of Sustainability Science, VNU Vietnam - Japan University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Luu Huu Phuoc, My Dinh, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Viet Bac T. Phung

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  1. Trong Nghia Nguyen
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  2. Phuoc Anh Le
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Correspondence to Viet Bac T. Phung.

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Nguyen, T.N., Le, P.A. & Phung, V.B.T. Facile green synthesis of carbon quantum dots and biomass-derived activated carbon from banana peels: synthesis and investigation. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 12, 2407–2416 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00839-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00839-2

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