Sensitive determination of Cu (II) ions using different doped carbon dot and silver nanocomposites: comparative study

In the present work, microwave-assisted chemical synthesis of different nanocomposites based on doped carbon dots and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out. Basically, three different types of doped carbon dots-based silver nanocomposite were prepared. Nitrogen, nitrogen, sulfur (NNS) doped carbon dots (CDs) capped AgNPs were prepared using urea and thiourea as dopant source. Nitrogen (N) doped carbon dots (CDs) capped AgNPs were synthesized using urea as dopant source, while thiourea was used as dopant source for preparation of nitrogen, sulfur (NS) doped carbon dots (CDs) capped AgNPs. Then, as-prepared different nanocomposites were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction technique and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. These nanocomposites comprising of doped carbon dots and silver nanoparticles were assessed for the spectrophotometric determination of cupric ions in standard solution, and various experimental conditions were optimized. NNS doped CDs capped AgNPs illustrated optimum response at pH 6.5 within time interval of 8 min, while N doped and NS doped carbon dots capped AgNPs showed best results at pH 6 and 8 within time interval of 15 min and 12 min, respectively. This nanoprobe assay offers interference free, low cost and efficient detection of cupric ions. In short, these different doped carbons dot-based silver nanocomposites showed promising application toward the quantification of cupric ions.

Automated summary

In this study, different nanocomposites based on doped carbon dots and silver nanoparticles were synthesized using microwave-assisted chemical methods. Three types of doped carbon dots-based silver nanocomposites were prepared and characterized. The nanocomposites showed promising application in the spectrophotometric determination of cupric ions, with different optimal conditions for each type of nanocomposite.