Carbon Dots as Selective Fluorescent Probes for Metal Ions-Influence of Moringa Oleifera Leaf as a Precursor

The work presents a one-step green synthesis of green luminescent C-dots using Moringa Oleifera leaves as precursor which has not been explored as a source or precursor for the fabrication of the lowest dimensional carbon material. The presence of calcium ion in the bulk structure and the surface passivated functional groups of the C-dot with a size of 1-2 nm were well correlated using extensive spectroscopic tools. The as-prepared C-dots were investigated as a fluorescent probe for detection of heavy metal ions such as Fe(III), Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), Cr(VI) and As(III). The C-dots were extrapolated as a potent turn-off sensor for Cr(VI) ion in the range of 0.05-10 mM. The study provided a new approach to the application of Moringa Oleifera leaves for nanotechnology.