Journal
SUSTAINABILITY
Volume 13, Issue 21, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/su132111896
Keywords
carbon nanodots; paper sensor; optical sensor; fluorescence sensor
Funding
- Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) [NanoKey__EPTR0003]
- INAIL Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Epidemiology and Hygiene
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The paper sensor is designed to detect nanomaterials using fluorescence changes of carbon nanodots, allowing for selective detection of different nanomaterials based on their unique photoluminescence quenching mechanisms. The sensor enables easy detection of nanomaterials under UV light and can detect them through direct contact with their dispersions or powders, providing a straightforward method for practical applications.
A paper sensor was designed in order to detect the presence of nanomaterials, such as ZnO and silica nanoparticles, as well as graphene nanoplatelets (GnP), based on fluorescence changes of carbon nanodots. Paper strips were functionalized with carbon nanodots using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as binder. The carbon nanodots were highly fluorescent and, hence, rendered the (cellulosic) paper stripes emissive. In the presence of silica and ZnO nanoparticles, the fluorescence emission of the carbon nanodots was quenched and the emission decay was shortened, whereas in the presence of GnP only emission quenching occurred. These different photoluminescence (PL) quenching mechanisms, which are evident from lifetime measurements, convey selectivity to the sensor. The change in fluorescence of the carbon dot-functionalized paper is also evident to the naked eye under illumination with a UV lamp, which enables easy detection of the nanomaterials. The sensor was able to detect the nanomaterials upon direct contact, either by dipping it in their aqueous dispersions, or by sweeping it over their powders. The use of the proposed optical sensor permits the detection of nanomaterials in a straightforward manner, opening new ways for the development of optical sensors for practical applications.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available