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Green synthesis of cow milk-derived carbon quantum dots and application for Fe3+ detection

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for optical, photonic and optoelectronic applications
  • Published:
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Abstract

A fast and efficient fluorescent probe based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was studied to detect ferric ions (Fe3+) in tap water. Cow milk-derived carbon quantum dots (CMCQDs) were synthesized via hydrothermal method using milk as the carbon source. The size, morphology, surface composition, optical properties and stability of the CMCQDs were fully characterized. The obtained CMCQDs show blue fluorescence, uniform distribution, small particle size and excellent fluorescence stability. There is a specifically quenching effect on CMCQDs by Fe3+, so the CMCQDs can be employed as a fluorescence probe for determination of Fe3+ with high selectivity and sensitivity. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.6 μmol/L in the range of 0.1–20 μmol/L (R2 = 0.9911). Herein, the fluorescent quenching of CMCQDs is thought to result from the by the unique chelation or coordination between Fe3+ and surface functional groups of CMCQDs. The sensitive and selective fluorescent probe was confirmed to demonstrate high potential in Fe3+ detection in tap water.

Graphical Abstract

Cow milk-derived carbon quantum dots (CMCQDs) were synthesized via hydrothermal method using milk as the carbon source. There is a specifically quenching effect on CMCQDs by Fe3+, so the CMCQDs can be employed as a fluorescence probe for determination of Fe3+ with high selectivity and sensitivity.

Highlights

  • Cow milk-derived carbon quantum dots (CMCQDs) were synthesized for sensitive and selective detecting Fe3+ in tap water.

  • The sensing mechanism of the detection is result from the unique chelation or coordination between Fe3+ and surface functional groups of CMCQDs.

  • The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.6 μmol/L in the range of 0.1-20 μmol/L.

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Acknowledgements

This work is financially supported by Science and Technology Project of Chongqing Education Commission (KJQN201900504) and (KJQN201800505).

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Lei Zhang, Bo Li

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, PR China

    Lei Zhang, Bo Li, Yue Zhou, Yan Wu, Tao Le & Qi Sun

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  1. Lei Zhang
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  2. Bo Li
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  3. Yue Zhou
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Correspondence to Tao Le.

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Zhang, L., Li, B., Zhou, Y. et al. Green synthesis of cow milk-derived carbon quantum dots and application for Fe3+ detection. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 106, 173–185 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-06024-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-06024-3

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