One Step Green Synthesis Of Carbon Quantum Dots and Its Application Towards The Bioelectroanalytical and Biolabeling Studies

Abstract

A green luminescent carbon quantum dots were prepared from maltose by Microwave assisted method followed by passivation with NaOH (pH = 7.4). The TEM measurement confirmed the average size of prepared carbon quantum dots to be 2 nm. Surface characterization such as XPS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirm that the functional groups (C=O, C-OH) were attached on the surface of sp2 hybridized carbon. Electrochemical characterization studies on carbon paste electrode (CPE) revealed that the synthesized carbon quantum dots showed higher electrocatalytic property, conductivity and surface area. Therefore, herein we report the synthesized carbon quantum dots could find its applicability as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of neurotransmitter, dopamine. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed for the detection of DA in presence of common interferences like UA, and AA with carbon quantum dots modified carbon paste electrode. The developed sensor was effectively applied for the real sample analysis with satisfactory results. Moreover, biological studies in He La cell lines proclaimed that the cell viability was unaffected (100% viability) on incubation with the carbon dots. Significant cellular uptake as revealed by fluorescence imaging makes them suitable for cell labeling studies.