Issue 13, 2022, Issue in Progress

Green fluorescent nanomaterials for rapid detection of chromium and iron ions: wool keratin-based carbon quantum dots

Abstract

Heavy metal ions produced by industrial activity have been a serious environmental problem, and their detection is critical for treatment of the heavy metal pollution. Among the variable heavy metal detection methods, fluorescent indicator methods have attracted wide attention due to the advantage of the convenience and nondestructive detection process. Carbon quantum dots have great application in this respect. In this study, nitrogen and sulfur doped fluorescent carbon quantum dots (N,S-CDs) were prepared based on wool keratin using a hydrothermal method, of which the morphology, chemical composition and optical properties were characterized. The prepared N,S-CDs were spherical nanoparticles with a diameter of 2–6 nm, showing wide fluorescence excitation and emission wavelength range and considerable quantum yield, and have sensitive response to Cr6+ and Fe3+. This study reveals a novel cost-effective and convenient synthetic route of green carbon quantum dots through naturally sourced materials, demonstrates the application potential of the wool keratin-based N,S-CDs in rapid detection of heavy metal, and opens up a new path for functional utilization of waste wool keratin.

Graphical abstract: Green fluorescent nanomaterials for rapid detection of chromium and iron ions: wool keratin-based carbon quantum dots

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 Jan 2022
Accepted
07 Mar 2022
First published
11 Mar 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2022,12, 8108-8118

Green fluorescent nanomaterials for rapid detection of chromium and iron ions: wool keratin-based carbon quantum dots

Y. Song, N. Qi, K. Li, D. Cheng, D. Wang and Y. Li, RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 8108 DOI: 10.1039/D2RA00529H

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