Detection and Removal of Heavy-Metal Ions in Water by Unfolded-Fullerene Nanoparticles

We have synthesized two-dimensional carbon nanoparticles by oxidative unfolding of C-60 fullerene and demonstrated that the selective sensitivity of this material to the presence of Cu2+ and Pb2+, resulting in variations of the fluorescence intensity and optical absorbance, is related to nanoparticle aggregation processes. This mechanism occurs through coordination of the metal ions and, above a certain ion concentration, leads to precipitation of the carbon material that reduces the metal content in solution. The effect has been characterized by optical measurements while Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy have been carried out for a precise assessment of the real ion concentration in solution.