MULTIFUNCTIONAL CARBON QUANTUM DOTS DERIVED FROM GREEN BEAN SEEDS FOR COPPER (ІІ) ION SENSING, NANOTHERMOMETRY, AND ANTIBACTERIAL APPLICATIONS
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Green Synthesis, Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs), Green Beans, Sensor, Antibacterial Activity
Abstract
The increasing global demand for inexpensive and environmentally friendly fluorescent nanomaterials highlights the urgency of employing green synthesis approaches using biomass-based materials. Following the principles of green chemistry, the present study details a one-step hydrothermal synthesis of carbon quantum dots using green bean seeds as a carbon precursor, with no chemical additions. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy showed excitation-dependent fluorescence properties with a peak green emission at 532 nm when excited at 490 nm and a quantum yield of 37.1%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed uniform quasi-spherical nanoparticles (~5 nm). X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed a graphitic core. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses revealed surface carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, with carbon and oxygen as principal elements. The CQDs demonstrated nanosensing capability for Cu²⁺ ions, with a limit of detection of 0.1 µM via fluorescence quenching. Temperature-dependent PL studies exhibited linearity in the 20 to 65°C range with a relative thermal sensitivity of 1.17% °C-1, confirming the nanothermometer capability of CQDs. Using the serial dilution method, CQDs represent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella bacteria. Multifunctional green bean-based CQDs have excellent potential for nanoscale temperature, heavy metal sensing, and biomedical applications.
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