Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Derived from Natural Seeds and Their Application for Electrochemical Sensing

Abstract

In this work, nitrogen doped carbon dots (N-CDs) derived from kiwi seeds, white sesame seeds, and black sesame seeds were prepared by a simple, feasible and green route. Then a novel nitrite electrochemical sensor was successfully constructed. The morphology and composition of N-CDs were characterized by Field emission transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, Raman spectra and electrochemical methods. The particle size of the as-prepared N-CDs from the three kinds of natural seeds were in the range of 1.4 ∼ 4.9 nm, 1.4 ∼ 4.6 nm, and 1.2 ∼ 4.7 nm, respectively. Moreover, these N-CDs nanomaterials exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performances for nitrite sensing with a detection limit of 0.23 μM (S/N = 3) by electrochemical methods. Additionally, the stability, anti-interference ability and real sample analysis of the sensors had been evaluated. Finally, the electrochemical sensor was successfully applied for nitrite determination in real samples (ham sausages). Based on the present study, more natural seeds could be expected as preferred candidates for N-CDs synthesis, and a general platform of novel electrochemical sensors for nitrite detection is provided.

Plant Part-Derived Carbon Dots for Biosensing

“…An amount of 1.0 g Prosopis juliflora leaves were washed with water, placed into a crucible, and heated at 200 • C for 30 min followed by crushing into powder and heating at 200 • C for 1 h. Each 0.1 g of the black carbonized powder was dispersed in 10 mL of 50% acetic acid and in ethanol and allowed to sit for 24 h. Subsequently, separation and drying processes were carried out to obtain the CDs. Li et al prepared N-CDs utilizing kiwi, white sesame, and black sesame seeds [84]. A total of 15 g seeds were transferred into a crucible, individually marked, and heated at 350 • C for 10 h in a furnace, producing the black material products.…”

“…Conversely, CDs from Sargassum fluitans displayed their two bands at 226 and 280 nm, from the core section of carbon as an n-π* transition and from the surface/molecular section as a π-π* transition [111]. Next, several plant part-derived CDs exhibited two distinct peaks below and above 300 nm, such as Lantana camara berries [61], watermelon juice [65], lemon/onion [78], neem leaf [69], waste tea [70], water hyacinth [86], kiwi/white sesame/black sesame seeds [84], mustard seeds [55], and water chestnut/onion [56], which had absorption peaks at 285/356, 282/355, 280/340, 276/340, 270/330, 285/350, 275/325, 245/312, and 242/333 nm, respectively. The peaks below and above 300 nm were ascribed to π-π* transitions of the aromatic C=C or C=N sp 2 carbon domains and an n-π* transition of C=O bonds [112,113].…”

“…Li et al used CDs from kiwi, white sesame, and black sesame seeds for the electrochemical sensing of NO2 − (nitrite) in ham sausages [84]. A bare glass carbon electrode (GCE) and a CD/GCE combination exhibited nearly no electrochemical sensitivity without the addition of nitrite at a scan rate of 20 mV•s −1 .…”

“…The response current and potential were enhanced compared to that on a bare GCE, demonstrating that the existence of CDs showed good catalytic work for nitrite oxidation. The electrocatalytic influence of − (nitrite) in ham sausages [84]. A bare glass carbon electrode (GCE) and a CD/GCE combination exhibited nearly no electrochemical sensitivity without the addition of nitrite at a scan rate of 20 mV•s −1 .…”

Rational Design of Highly Efficient One‐pot Synthesis of Ternary PtNiCo/FTO Nanocatalyst for Hydroquinone and Catechol Sensing

“…Catechol is carcinogenic and causes genetic disorders like DNA deformation in human beings [13]. Therefore, it is important to monitor CC, and HQ concentrations in humanly use things, their determination, and the cause of their evolution [14].…”