Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs), a unique family of multifunctional carbon nanomaterials, have attracted enormous consideration due to their diverse physicochemical properties like good biocompatibility, unique optical characteristics, low cost, eco-friendliness, abundant functional groups, etc., thereby assisting in the field of heavy metal detection and photocatalytic environmental remediation. Recently, green method of synthesis has received a lot of attention as a reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly protocol for synthesizing a wide variety of nanomaterials. As a result, green synthesis has been regarded as an important tool for reducing the harmful effects associated with traditional methods of synthesis of CDs. Environmental contamination has become a severe concern as a result of population growth and rapid industrial expansion, for which the detection and remediation of toxic metals is highly apprehended. The low-cost, high photostability, and nontoxicity of CDs empower them as suitable fluorescent probes compared to traditional toxic inorganic quantum dots (QDs). Further, CDs are organic semiconductors that can form photoinduced electron–hole pairs when exposed to sunshine. They also function as electron donors and acceptors in solution or suspension. These properties make CD-based compounds suitable to be used as photocatalysts in wastewater treatment like pollutant degradation and heavy metal reduction. Briefly, the novel optical properties of CDs meet all the criteria to be employed as fluorescent probe for heavy metal detection and photocatalytic environmental remediation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Amjadi M, Hallaj T, Asadollahi H et al (2017) Facile synthesis of carbon quantum dot/silver nanocomposite and its application for colorimetric detection of methimazole. Sensors Actuators B Chem 244:425–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2017.01.003
Bai Z, Yan F, Xu J et al (2018) Dual-channel fluorescence detection of mercuric (II) and glutathione by down- and up-conversion fluorescence carbon dots. Spectrochim Acta – Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 205:29–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.07.012
Bandi R, Dadigala R, Gangapuram BR, Guttena V (2018) Green synthesis of highly fluorescent nitrogen – doped carbon dots from Lantana camara berries for effective detection of lead(II) and bioimaging. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol 178:330–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.11.010
Beiraghi A, Najibi-Gehraz SA (2017) Carbon dots-modified silver nanoparticles as a new colorimetric sensor for selective determination of cupric ions. Sensors Actuators B Chem 253:342–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2017.06.049
Bhati A, Anand SR, Saini D et al (2019) Sunlight-induced photoreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in wastewater by nitrogen-phosphorus-doped carbon dots. Npj Clean Water 2:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-019-0036-z
Bhatt S, Bhatt M, Kumar A et al (2018) Green route for synthesis of multifunctional fluorescent carbon dots from Tulsi leaves and its application as Cr(VI) sensors, bio-imaging and patterning agents. Colloids Surf B Biointerf 167:126–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.04.008
Bozetine H, Wang Q, Barras A et al (2016) Green chemistry approach for the synthesis of ZnO-carbon dots nanocomposites with good photocatalytic properties under visible light. J Colloid Interface Sci 465:286–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2015.12.001
Bozetine H, Meziane S, Aziri S et al (2021) Facile and green synthesis of a ZnO/CQDs/AgNPs ternary heterostructure photocatalyst: study of the methylene blue dye photodegradation. Bull Mater Sci 44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-021-02353-1
Chen J, Li Y, Lv K et al (2016) Cyclam-functionalized carbon dots sensor for sensitive and selective detection of copper(II) ion and sulfide anion in aqueous media and its imaging in live cells. Sensors Actuators B Chem 224:298–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2015.10.046
Das P, Ganguly S, Maity PP et al (2019) Converting waste Allium sativum peel to nitrogen and sulphur co-doped photoluminescence carbon dots for solar conversion, cell labeling, and photobleaching diligences: a path from discarded waste to value-added products. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol 197:111545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111545
Devi P, Rajput P, Thakur A et al (2019) Recent advances in carbon quantum dot-based sensing of heavy metals in water. TrAC – Trends Anal Chem 114:171–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2019.03.003
Dong Y, Pang H, Bin YH et al (2013) Carbon-based dots co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur for high quantum yield and excitation-independent emission. Angew Chemie - Int Ed 52:7800–7804. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201301114
Feng H, Qian Z (2018) Functional carbon quantum dots: a versatile platform for chemosensing and biosensing. Chem Rec 18:491–505. https://doi.org/10.1002/tcr.201700055
Gaddam RR, Vasudevan D, Narayan R, Raju KVSN (2014) Controllable synthesis of biosourced blue-green fluorescent carbon dots from camphor for the detection of heavy metal ions in water. RSC Adv 4:57137–57143. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ra10471d
Gao ZH, Lin ZZ, Chen XM et al (2016) Carbon dots-based fluorescent probe for trace Hg2+ detection in water sample. Sensors Actuators B Chem 222:965–971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2015.09.032
Gedda G, Lee CY, Lin YC, Wu HF (2016) Green synthesis of carbon dots from prawn shells for highly selective and sensitive detection of copper ions. Sensors Actuators B Chem 224:396–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2015.09.065
Gogoi N, Barooah M, Majumdar G, Chowdhury D (2015) Carbon dots rooted agarose hydrogel hybrid platform for optical detection and separation of heavy metal ions. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 7:3058–3067. https://doi.org/10.1021/am506558d
Gonçalves HMR, Duarte AJ, Esteves da Silva JCG (2010) Optical fiber sensor for Hg(II) based on carbon dots. Biosens Bioelectron 26:1302–1306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2010.07.018
Gong X, Liu Y, Yang Z et al (2017) An “on-off-on” fluorescent nanoprobe for recognition of chromium(VI) and ascorbic acid based on phosphorus/nitrogen dual-doped carbon quantum dot. Anal Chim Acta 968:85–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2017.02.038
Gu D, Hong L, Zhang L et al (2018) Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped highly luminescent carbon dots for sensitive detection of Cd (II) ions and living cell imaging applications. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol 186:144–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2018.07.012
Gupta A, Verma NC, Khan S et al (2016) Paper strip based and live cell ultrasensitive lead sensor using carbon dots synthesized from biological media. Sensors Actuators B Chem 232:107–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2016.03.110
Han Y, Shi L, Luo X et al (2019) A signal-on fluorescent sensor for ultra-trace detection of Hg2+ via Ag+ mediated sulfhydryl functionalized carbon dots. Carbon N Y 149:355–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2019.04.052
Hao J, Liu F, Liu N et al (2017) Ratiometric fluorescent detection of Cu2+ with carbon dots chelated Eu-based metal-organic frameworks. Sensors Actuators B Chem 245:641–647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2017.02.029
Hong Y, Meng Y, Zhang G et al (2016) Facile fabrication of stable metal-free CQDs/g-C3N4 heterojunctions with efficiently enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity. Sep Purif Technol 171:229–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2016.07.025
Jiang Y, Wang Y, Meng F et al (2015) N-doped carbon dots synthesized by rapid microwave irradiation as highly fluorescent probes for Pb2+ detection. New J Chem 39:3357–3360. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5nj00170f
Jiang R, Lu G, Yan Z et al (2019) Insights into a CQD-SnNb2O6/BiOCl Z-scheme system for the degradation of benzocaine: influence factors, intermediate toxicity and photocatalytic mechanism. Chem Eng J 374:79–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.05.176
Kong W, Liu R, Li H et al (2014) High-bright fluorescent carbon dots and their application in selective nucleoli staining. J Mater Chem B 2:5077–5082. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4tb00579a
Kumar A, Chowdhuri AR, Laha D et al (2017) Green synthesis of carbon dots from Ocimum sanctum for effective fluorescent sensing of Pb2+ ions and live cell imaging. Sensors Actuators B Chem 242:679–686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2016.11.109
Li Z, Zhang Y, Niu Q et al (2017) A fluorescence probe based on the nitrogen-doped carbon dots prepared from orange juice for detecting Hg2+ in water. J Lumin 187:274–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2017.03.023
Li C, Zhao Z, Fu S et al (2021) Polyvinylpyrrolidone in the one-step synthesis of carbon quantum dots anchored hollow microsphere Bi2WO6 enhances the simultaneous photocatalytic removal of tetracycline and Cr (VI). Sep Purif Technol 270:118844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.118844
Lim SY, Shen W, Gao Z (2015) Carbon quantum dots and their applications. Chem Soc Rev 44:362–381. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4cs00269e
Lin R, Li S, Wang J et al (2018) Facile generation of carbon quantum dots in MIL-53(Fe) particles as localized electron acceptors for enhancing their photocatalytic Cr(vi) reduction. Inorg Chem Front 5:3170–3177. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8qi01164h
Liu R, Huang H, Li H et al (2014) Metal nanoparticle/carbon quantum dot composite as a photocatalyst for high-efficiency cyclohexane oxidation. ACS Catal 4:328–336. https://doi.org/10.1021/cs400913h
Liu Y, Hu J, Li Y et al (2015) Synthesis of polyethyleneimine capped carbon dots for preconcentration and slurry sampling analysis of trace chromium in environmental water samples. Talanta 134:16–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2014.11.001
Liu G, Jia H, Li N et al (2019a) High-fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) originated from China grass carp scales (CGCS) for effective detection of Hg (II) ions. 145:718–728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2018.11.044
Liu H, Ding J, Zhang K, Ding L (2019b) Construction of biomass carbon dots based fluorescence sensors and their applications in chemical and biological analysis. TrAC – Trends Anal Chem 118:315–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2019.05.051
Liu Y, Liu C, Shi C et al (2021) Carbon-based quantum dots (QDs) modified ms/tz-BiVO4 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic performance for water purification. J Alloys Compd 881:160437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.160437
Mohaghegh N, Tasviri M, Rahimi E, Gholami MR (2015) Comparative studies on Ag 3 PO4/BiPO 4-metal-organic framework-graphene-based nanocomposites for photocatalysis application. Appl Surf Sci 351:216–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.05.135
Niu WJ, Shan D, Zhu RH et al (2016) Dumbbell-shaped carbon quantum dots/AuNCs nanohybrid as an efficient ratiometric fluorescent probe for sensing cadmium (II) ions and l-ascorbic acid. Carbon N Y 96:1034–1042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2015.10.051
Pandey SC, Kumar A, Sahu SK (2020) Single step green synthesis of carbon dots from Murraya koenigii leaves; a unique turn-off fluorescent contrivance for selective sensing of Cd (II) ion. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 400:112620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2020.112620
Phang SJ, Tan LL (2019) Recent advances in carbon quantum dot (CQD)-based two dimensional materials for photocatalytic applications. Cat Sci Technol 9:5882–5905. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9cy01452g
Picard M, Thakur S, Misra M, Mohanty AK (2019) Miscanthus grass-derived carbon dots to selectively detect Fe3+ ions. RSC Adv 9:8628–8637. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra10051a
Radhakrishnan K, Panneerselvam P, Marieeswaran M (2019) A green synthetic route for the surface-passivation of carbon dots as an effective multifunctional fluorescent sensor for the recognition and detection of toxic metal ions from aqueous solution. Anal Methods 11:490–506. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ay02451k
Rasheed T, Bilal M, Nabeel F et al (2018) Fluorescent sensor based models for the detection of environmentally-related toxic heavy metals. Sci Total Environ 615:476–485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.126
Roshni V, Misra S, Santra MK, Ottoor D (2019) One pot green synthesis of C-dots from groundnuts and its application as Cr(VI) sensor and in vitro bioimaging agent. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 373:28–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.12.028
Sabet M, Mahdavi K (2019) Green synthesis of high photoluminescence nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots from grass via a simple hydrothermal method for removing organic and inorganic water pollutions. Appl Surf Sci 463:283–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.08.223
Salinas-Castillo A, Ariza-Avidad M, Pritz C et al (2013) Carbon dots for copper detection with down and upconversion fluorescent properties as excitation sources. Chem Commun 49:1103–1105. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2cc36450f
Sharma V, Kaur N, Tiwari P et al (2018) Multifunctional fluorescent “Off-On-Off” nanosensor for Au3+ and S2− employing N-S co-doped carbon–dots. Carbon N Y 139:393–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2018.07.004
Shen J, Zhu Y, Yang X et al (2012) One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of graphene quantum dots surface-passivated by polyethylene glycol and their photoelectric conversion under near-infrared light. New J Chem 36:97–101. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1nj20658c
Sochor J, Zitka O, Hynek D et al (2011) Bio-sensing of cadmium(II) ions using Staphylococcus aureus. Sensors 11:10638–10663. https://doi.org/10.3390/s111110638
Su R, Wang D, Liu M et al (2018) Subgram-scale synthesis of biomass waste-derived fluorescent carbon dots in subcritical water for bioimaging, sensing, and solid-state patterning. ACS Omega 3:13211–13218. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.8b01919
Sun YP, Zhou B, Lin Y et al (2006) Quantum-sized carbon dots for bright and colorful photoluminescence. J Am Chem Soc 128:7756–7757. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja062677d
Tyagi A, Tripathi KM, Singh N et al (2016) Green synthesis of carbon quantum dots from lemon peel waste: applications in sensing and photocatalysis. RSC Adv 6:72423–72432. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra10488f
Venkateswarlu S, Viswanath B, Reddy AS, Yoon M (2018) Fungus-derived photoluminescent carbon nanodots for ultrasensitive detection of Hg2+ ions and photoinduced bactericidal activity. Sensors Actuators B Chem 258:172–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2017.11.044
Wang Q, Zhang S, Ge H et al (2015) A fluorescent turn-off/on method based on carbon dots as fluorescent probes for the sensitive determination of Pb2+ and pyrophosphate in an aqueous solution. Sensors Actuators B Chem 207:25–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.10.096
Wang L, Li B, Xu F et al (2016) High-yield synthesis of strong photoluminescent N-doped carbon nanodots derived from hydrosoluble chitosan for mercury ion sensing via smartphone APP. Biosens Bioelectron 79:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2015.11.085
Wang C, Ding Y, Bi X et al (2018) Carbon quantum dots-Ag nanoparticle complex as a highly sensitive “turn-on” fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide: a DFT/TD-DFT study of electronic transitions and mechanism of sensing. Sensors Actuators B Chem 264:404–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2018.02.186
Wang BB, Jin JC, Xu ZQ et al (2019a) Single-step synthesis of highly photoluminescent carbon dots for rapid detection of Hg 2+ with excellent sensitivity. J Colloid Interface Sci 551:101–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2019.04.088
Wang M, Ren X, Zhu L et al (2019b) Preparation of mesoporous silica/carbon quantum dots composite and its application in selective and sensitive Hg2+ detection. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 284:378–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2019.04.026
Wang Y, He J, Zheng M et al (2019c) Dual-emission of Eu based metal-organic frameworks hybrids with carbon dots for ratiometric fluorescent detection of Cr(VI). Talanta 191:519–525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2018.08.078
Wee SS, Ng YH, Ng SM (2013) Synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots via simple acid hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin and its potential as sensitive sensing probe for lead (II) ions. Talanta 116:71–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2013.04.081
Wu Y, Chen C, He S et al (2021) In situ preparation of visible-light-driven carbon quantum dots/NaBiO3 hybrid materials for the photoreduction of Cr(VI). J Environ Sci (China) 99:100–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2020.06.016
Xie Y, Cheng D, Liu X, Han A (2019) Green hydrothermal synthesis of N-doped carbon dots from biomass highland barley for the detection of Hg2+. Sensors (Switzerland) 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19143169
Xu X, Ray R, Gu Y et al (2004) Electrophoretic analysis and purification of fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotube fragments. J Am Chem Soc 126:12736–12737. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja040082h
Xu Q, Su R, Chen Y et al (2018) Metal charge transfer doped carbon dots with reversibly switchable, ultra-high quantum yield photoluminescence. ACS Appl Nano Mater 1:1886–1893. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.8b00277
Xu L, Bai X, Guo L et al (2019) Facial fabrication of carbon quantum dots (CDs)-modified N-TiO2-x nanocomposite for the efficient photoreduction of Cr(VI) under visible light. Chem Eng J 357:473–486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.09.172
Yang H, He L, Long Y et al (2018) Fluorescent carbon dots synthesized by microwave-assisted pyrolysis for chromium(VI) and ascorbic acid sensing and logic gate operation. Spectrochim Acta – Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 205:12–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.07.015
Yao YY, Gedda G, Girma WM et al (2017) Magnetofluorescent carbon dots derived from crab Shell for targeted dual-modality bioimaging and drug delivery. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 9:13887–13899. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b01599
Zhang D, Jiang Y, Wang C (2016) One-step fabrication of fluorescent carbon dots for selective and sensitive detection of Cr (VI) in living cells. Nano 11:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793292016500120
Zhang HY, Wang Y, Xiao S et al (2017a) Rapid detection of Cr(VI) ions based on cobalt(II)-doped carbon dots. Biosens Bioelectron 87:46–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2016.08.010
Zhang L, Zhu D, He H et al (2017b) Enhanced piezo/solar-photocatalytic activity of Ag/ZnO nanotetrapods arising from the coupling of surface plasmon resonance and piezophototronic effect. J Phys Chem Solids 102:27–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2016.11.009
Zhang Y, Fang X, Zhao H, Li Z (2018) A highly sensitive and selective detection of Cr(VI) and ascorbic acid based on nitrogen-doped carbon dots. Talanta 181:318–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2018.01.027
Zhang WJ, Liu SG, Han L et al (2019) A ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric dual-signal sensing platform based on N-doped carbon dots for selective and sensitive detection of copper(II) and pyrophosphate ion. Sensors Actuators B Chem 283:215–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2018.12.012
Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Xu Z et al (2020) Carbon quantum dots implanted CdS nanosheets: efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) under saline conditions. Appl Catal B Environ 262:118306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.118306
Zheng M, Xie Z, Qu D et al (2013) On-off-on fluorescent carbon dot nanosensor for recognition of chromium(VI) and ascorbic acid based on the inner filter effect. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 5:13242–13247. https://doi.org/10.1021/am4042355
Zhou J, Cai W, Ding J et al (2021) 0D/1D Z-scheme g-C3N4 quantum dot/WO3 composite for efficient Cr (VI) photoreduction under visible light. J Environ Chem Eng 9:105292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.105292
Zhou G, Wu Q, Wu L et al (2022) Reaction kinetic acceleration induced by atomic-hybridized channels in carbon quantum dot/ReS2 composites for efficient Cr(VI) reduction. Appl Catal B Environ 300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119807
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Pattnayak, S., Sahoo, U., Hota, G. (2023). Green Synthesis of Carbon Dot-Based Materials for Toxic Metal Detection and Environmental Remediation. In: Shanker, U., Hussain, C.M., Rani, M. (eds) Handbook of Green and Sustainable Nanotechnology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16101-8_97
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16101-8_97
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-16100-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-16101-8
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics