Luminescent carbon quantum dots/nanofibrillated cellulose composite aerogel for monitoring adsorption of heavy metal ions in water

Water pollution, especially that of heavy metal ions, has always been one of the most important kinds of pollution and has long plagued human production and life. Therefore, how to effectively control pollution of heavy metals in water is an urgent problem for scientists. We have prepared a new carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) composite aerogel using green chemical synthesis and used it for the adsorption and detection of heavy metal ions (Cr3+) in water. At different pH values, the prepared materials adsorb heavy metal ions (Cr3+) in water, and the fluorescence effect of the CQDs in the material decreases with an increase in the amount of heavy metal ions (Cr3+) that are adsorbed. This indicates that the material can be used for real-time monitoring of adsorption behavior. Our research results provide underlying ideas for guiding control of water pollution and extending the applications of aerogels and CQDs.