Color change mechanism and application of oxidized carbon dots/I2O4 composite (OCDs/I2O4) in alcoholic beverages

• Published in: Carbon trends 2025-01, Vol.18, p.100440, Article 100440
• Main Authors: Shi, Ming-yu, Li, Ao, Ji, Tian-hao, Jv, Da-jian, Xu, Zhe-mi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ethanol detection; I2O4; Oxidized carbon dots
• ISSN: 2667-0569; 2667-0569
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cartre.2024.100440

Currently, ethanol detection in alcoholic beverages typically relies on complicated and costly approaches, including gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry, etc. Herein, we developed a non-toxicity, practical, low-cost and portable visual indicator for ethanol detection based on OCDs/I2O4 nanopowders. By color change, the OCDs/I2O4 can visually indicate ethanol concentration ranging from 14 % vol to 56 % vol and the detection limit can be further extended to 2 % vol with a UV-visible spectrum. The OCDs/I2O4 indicator shows good stability and long-term endurance for at least 18 months, and it can be used under different temperatures (at least from 3 °C to 40 °C) and humidity (at least from 10 % to 90 %). A possible mechanism for the color change has been proposed based on the covalent-link hydrogen bonding change between OCDs and I2O4. The proposed OCDs/I2O4 composite offers a convenient and practical solution for ethanol monitoring in various alcoholic beverages. We developed a non-toxicity, practical, low-cost and portable visual indicator for ethanol detection based on OCDs/I2O4 nanopowders. By color change, the OCDs/I2O4 can visually indicate ethanol concentration ranging from 14 % vol to 56 % vol and the detection limit can be further extended to 2 % vol with a UV–visible spectrum. The OCDs/I2O4 indicator shows good stability and long-term endurance for at least 18 months, and it can be used under different temperatures (at least from 3 °C to 40 °C) and humidity (at least from 10 % to 90 %). A possible mechanism for the color change has been proposed based on the covalent-link hydrogen bonding change between OCDs and I2O4. The proposed OCDs/I2O4 composite offers a convenient and practical solution for ethanol monitoring in various alcoholic beverages. [Display omitted]