Synthesis of carbon dots for Al3+ sensing in water by fluorescence assay

Fifty-four Eucommia ulmoides leaves were subjected to a hydrothermal technique to synthesize carbon dots (CDs) of 3.55 +/- 1.45 nm size. The nanomaterial possessed excellent stability and strong fluorescence emission (phi(f) 42.3%). In a neutral buffer solution, the fluorescence signals of CDs solution were enhanced by aluminium ion without interference from other ions. Degree of enhancement correlated linearly with the Al3+ content in the range 0.01-2.5 mM. Response of this method was fast and sensitive (detection limit was 23 nM). The CDs performed successfully as a sensitive sensor for trace Al3+ determination in water samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.

Automated summary

In this study, carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from Eucommia ulmoides leaves using a hydrothermal technique, resulting in nanomaterial with excellent stability and strong fluorescence emission. The fluorescence signals of the CDs solution were enhanced by aluminum ion in a neutral buffer solution, with a linear correlation to the Al3+ content in the range of 0.01-2.5 mM. The method showed fast and sensitive response with a detection limit of 23 nM, making the CDs a successful sensor for trace Al3+ determination in water samples.