Low-Cost Preparation of Photoluminescent Carbon Nanodots and Application as Peroxidase Mimetics in Colorimetric Detection of H2O2 and Glucose

A low-cost and facile preparation of water-soluble photoluminescent carbon nanodots (CDs) with a quantum yield of approximately 12.4% by hydrothermal method utilizing the leaves of Olea Europaea, a large number of planted trees in southwest of China, as a carbon source is developed for the first time. The prepared photoluminescent CDs not only show favorable photoluminescent properties, but also possess intrinsic peroxidase-like activity for colorimetric and UV-Vis absorption detection of hydrogen oxide (H2O2) and glucose. This sensing system exhibits excellent sensitivity toward H2O2 and glucose with the limit of detection as low as 0.6 mu M and 5.2 mu M. The practical use of this system for glucose determination in serum samples is also demonstrated successfully. The stability and low cost of photoluminescent CDs make them a powerful tool for a wide range of potential applications in biochemical analysis.