Environmentally benign synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanodots using waste PET bottles: highly selective and sensitive detection of Pb2+ ions in aqueous medium

Sustainable recycling and safe disposal of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are growing concerns worldwide. We have synthesized green fluorescent carbon nanodots (CDs) utilizing waste PET bottles as carbon precursors following a greener solvothermal synthetic route in this work. The obtained CDs (similar to 6 nm) exhibited excellent photoluminescence properties and displayed high selectivity for lead ions (Pb2+) through a fluorescence quenching effect. Besides, the CDs possessed a highly negative zeta potential value of -40 mV, which suggests good colloidal stability of the nanosuspension. The synthesized optical nanosensor demonstrated excellent anti-interference activity for Pb2+ detection despite the presence of co-existing cations or anions. The calculated low detection limit of similar to 21 nM and fast response time of the synthesized nanoprobe displayed its significant potential in trace level detection of Pb2+ ions from the aqueous medium. Furthermore, the synthesized CDs proved their excellent practicality in sensing Pb2+ ions from actual water samples. Therefore, the present work's findings illustrate the CDs as a promising fluorogenic probe for environmentally benign and cost-effective detection of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions.

Automated summary

In this study, green fluorescent carbon nanodots (CDs) were synthesized using waste PET bottles as carbon precursors, showing excellent photoluminescence properties and high selectivity for lead ions (Pb2+). The CDs had a highly negative zeta potential value, indicating good colloidal stability, and demonstrated anti-interference activity for Pb2+ detection despite the presence of other ions. This suggests that the CDs have potential for environmentally friendly and cost-effective detection of Pb2+ ions in aqueous solutions.