Aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis miller) derived self-assembled flower-shaped carbon quantum dot interface for ultra-sensitive electrochemical detection of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol-A

Abstract

This manuscript is focused on the synthesis of biologically derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) via hydrothermal methods using Aloevera leaves (Aloe barbadensis miller). The proposed biochemical route, utilizing Aloevera gel, has garnered attention due to its cost-effectiveness, eco-friendly nature, and ability to produce highly pure, stable, and fluorescent biologically derived self-assembled nanoparticles measuring approximately 5–6 nm in size. The primary objective was to harness plant sources and establish a sustainable and renewable platform for synthesizing valuable nanostructures, encouraging researchers to shift their focus from unhealthy chemicals to natural resources for healthier and non-polluting investigations. The synthesized CQDs exhibited remarkable colloidal properties, excellent fluorescence, and photostability under UV light. Characterization techniques such as powder XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence, FT-IR, AFM, and TEM were employed to analyse the prepared CQDs. Furthermore, the prepared CQDs displayed significant electrochemical behaviour in the presence of tyrosinase enzyme to detect Bisphenol-A, which functions as an endocrine disruptor (ED). These nanomaterials were also utilized for electrochemical biosensing applications. Additionally, the fabricated CQDs exhibited unique structural and morphological characteristics, along with efficient electrochemical properties, which are thoroughly discussed in the manuscript.