The hydrothermal effect of time and temperature on the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) from chicken feathers

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) are carbon-based nanoparticles with a predominantly zero-dimensional structure and a diameter of typically less than 10 nm. CDs are desirable due to their high stability, low toxicity, high solubility in water, and accessible synthesis methods. The hydrothermal method is extensively used in the synthesis of CDs because it is simple and environmentally friendly, and particle size and shape can be controlled by initial materials and various hydrothermal conditions. This research involved the synthesis of CDs from poultry chicken feathers with hydrothermal time and temperature variations of 160 °C, 180 °C, and 200 °C, and treatment durations of 5 and 7 hours. The results indicate that the yield of CDs increased with the higher hydrothermal temperatures. The C-dots emitted a blue light when stimulated by ultraviolet light, and the band gap values of the CDs ranged from 3.45 eV to 3.28 eV.