Facile green and one-pot synthesis of seville orange derived carbon dots as a fluorescent sensor for Fe3+ ions

In this study, new water-soluble carbon dots (CDs) were fabricated by hydrothermal treatment methods using Seville orange (Citrus aurantium) and ion sensor potential of its was investigated. The as-prepared CDs were characterized morphologically, structurally and optically with spectroscopic techniques. The particle sizes of CDs were determined as average 4.8 nm with TEM images. FTIR, XRD and XPS measurements confirmed the presence of carbon, oxygen and nitrogen atoms and groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl in the structure of CDs. It was determined that CDs were selective towards Fe3+ ions among different metal ions with fluorescence measurements and limit of detection of Fe3+ ion was found as 0.53 mu M. It were revealed by interference studies that no metal ion and anion used affect the Fe3+ ion selectivity of CDs. Real sample tests were performed with tap and ground water samples showed that CDs can be used efficiently for practical applications. All results reflected that these newly synthesized CDs act selectivity and sensitivity in detecting turn-off fluorometric Fe3+ ions.