Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-containing carbon nanodots as the high-efficient sensor for copper(II) ions

Preparing high photoluminescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) by facile and low-cost processes have received considerable research interest. In this paper, high photoluminescent nitrogen-containing CNDs have been synthesized by one-step hydrothermal treatment of the pipe tobacco. The dispersion of these CNDs shows a strong blue luminescent emission with a max peak at 450 nm when it is excited at 369 nm. The as-made CNDs can sensitively and selectively detect Cu2+ ions compared with Ca2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ ions, which offers a novel sensing platform for the detection of Cu2+ ions.

High photoluminescent nitrogen-containing CNDs have been synthesized by one-step hydrothermal treatment of the pipe tobacco. Chemical sensing results reveal that these CNDs can sensitively and selectively detect Cu2+ ions compared with other metal ions, which offers a novel sensing platform for the detection of Cu2+ ions.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► High fluorescent nitrogen-containing carbon nanodots.
► One-step hydrothermal synthesis.
► The pipe tobacco as the starting material.
► Influent factors of synthetic conditions to the fluorescence were explored.
► High sensitively and selectively detect Cu2+ ions compared with other metal ions.