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Green synthesis and multifunctional applications of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots via one-step hydrothermal carbonization of Curcuma zedoaria

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Abstract

Low-dimensional (<10 nm) semiconductor carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been widely used in metal ion sensing and bioimaging. Here, we used the renewable resource Curcuma zedoaria as a carbon source and prepared green carbon quantum dots with good water solubility by a hydrothermal method without any chemical reagent. At different pH values (4–6) and high NaCl concentrations, the photoluminescence of the CQDs was very stable, which indicated that they were suitable for a wide range of applications even under harsh conditions. The CQDs exhibited fluorescence quenching in the presence of Fe3+ ions, indicating their application potential as fluorescence probes for the sensitive and selective detection of Fe3+ ions. The CQDs showed high photostability, low cytotoxicity, and good hemolytic activity, and were successfully applied to bioimaging experiments, i.e. multicolor cell imaging in L-02 (human normal hepatocytes) and CHL (Chinese hamster lung) cells with and without Fe3+, as well as wash-free labeling imaging of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The CQDs also showed good free radical scavenging activity and demonstrated a protective effect against photooxidative damage to L-02 cells. These results indicate that CQDs obtained from medicinal herb sources have multiple potential applications in the fields of sensing, bioimaging, and even disease diagnosis.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51961009), the Central Guidance on Local Science and Technology Development Fund of Guangxi Province (Gui Ke ZY22096010).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China

    Ying Zhang, Peiyuan Li, Hongjun Yan, Qing Guo & Qiuting Xu

  2. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China

    Wei Su

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  1. Ying Zhang
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  4. Qing Guo
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Correspondence to Peiyuan Li or Wei Su.

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All operations were carried out in accordance with the regulations of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Institutional Animal Welfare and Ethical Committee. The studies were approved by the Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Institutional Animal Welfare and Ethical Committee (Approval No. DW20220726-169). All applicable guidelines for the care and use of animals (mice) in this study were followed, and the studies involving mice were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution at which the studies were conducted.

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Zhang, Y., Li, P., Yan, H. et al. Green synthesis and multifunctional applications of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots via one-step hydrothermal carbonization of Curcuma zedoaria. Anal Bioanal Chem 415, 1917–1931 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-023-04603-z

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