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Carbon dots and nitrogen-doped carbon dots-metal oxide nanocomposites: robust agents for effective sensing of ions

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Abstract

Carbon dots-Manganese oxide (CDs-MnO2) and Nitrogen-doped carbon dots-MnO2 (NCDs-MnO2) nanocomposites were constructed by a green ultrasonic approach using Jasminum sambac leaves extract as a carbon source and reducing agent. The constructed nanocomposites were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, EDX, and SEM. CDs-MnO2 nanocomposites gave a UV–visible absorbance peak at λmax 223 nm and NCDs-MnO2 nanocomposite showed a peak at λmax 225 nm. FTIR examination revealed that the produced nanocomposites included a variety of functional groups. The size of the nanocomposite was calculated from XRD data i.e. 22.04 nm for CDs-MnO2 while NCDs-MnO2 had an amorphous nature. EDX analysis showed that both nanocomposites have C, O, and Mn while only one nanocomposite has N. SEM investigation revealed that nanocomposites are agglomerated. The spectrophotometric method was used for the sensitive and selective perceiving of Cr(VI) ions using prepared nanocomposites. Different factors were studied to find an optimum environment for sensing Cr (VI) ions i.e. concentration of ions, reaction time, pH, temperature, and effect of interfering species. The calculated limit of detection was 16 μM for CDs-MnO2 and 69 μM for NCDs-MnO2. The results showed that both nanocomposites are good sensors of Cr (VI) ions but NCDs-MnO2 nanocomposites require less harsh conditions for sensing which can be due to the existence of different functional groups and size of the nanocomposite. Real sample analysis was also done by spike recovery method and calculated recovery percentages were found to be 100.01–100.2% for CDs-MnO2 and 99.9–100.01% for NCDs-MnO2.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP2024R242), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

This study was funded by King Saud University, RSP2024R242, Matar Alshalwi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Government College Women University Sialkot, Sialkot, 51310, Pakistan

    Tauheeda Riaz, Raheela Azam & Tayyaba Shahzadi

  2. Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan

    Sammia Shahid, Sana Mansoor & Mohsin Javed

  3. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, 325060, Zhejian, China

    Ali Bahadur

  4. Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, 07083, USA

    Ali Bahadur

  5. Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China

    Shahid Iqbal & Sajid Mahmood

  6. Functional Materials Group, Gulf University for Science and Technology, 32093, Mishref, Kuwait

    Sajid Mahmood

  7. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, 11541, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Khalid M. Alotaibi & Matar Alshalwi

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  1. Tauheeda Riaz
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Riaz, T., Azam, R., Shahzadi, T. et al. Carbon dots and nitrogen-doped carbon dots-metal oxide nanocomposites: robust agents for effective sensing of ions. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 35, 940 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-024-12692-4

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