Synthesis of carbon quantum dots based on quinoa straw and their application in alkali metal ions detection

• Published in: Bioresources 2024-05, Vol.19 (2), p.3319-3327
• Main Authors: Xing, Ye, Wang, Ya-nan, Li, Haichao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption spectroscopy; Alkali metals; Carbon; Carbon dots; carbon quantum dots; Cellulose; chenopodium quinoa willd; Chloride; Electrons; Fluorescence; Fourier transforms; Functional groups; Graphite; green preparation; Infrared spectroscopy; Lignin; Metal ions; Outdoor air quality; Photoluminescence; Photons; Quantum dots; Quinoa; Rubidium; Solubility; Straw; Structural analysis; Synthesis; Ultraviolet absorption
• ISSN: 1930-2126; 1930-2126
• DOI: 10.15376/biores.19.2.3319-3327

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with good water solubility and fluorescence properties were successfully synthesized from Chenopodium quinoa Willd. straw, a biomass by-product, by a one-step carbonization method. Structural characterization of the fabricated carbon quantum dots by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) demonstrated the presence of a large number of functional groups on the surface of the carbon quantum dots, which gives them good water solubility. The synthesized carbon quantum dots were characterized optically by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and other analytical tools. Results indicate the addition of alkali metal ions gave a different degree of promotion of fluorescence intensity (Li+＞Cs+＞K+＞Na+＞Rb+), and according to this feature carbon quantum dots can be used as a new means of alkali metal ion detection.