Development of Multifunctional C-dots from Processing Waste of Pomelo Fruits for Determination of pH and Methyl Parathion
摘要
Multifunctional fluorescent C-dots from Pomelo wastes (peel/pomace) were produced using microwave and hydrothermal treatment. Surface of synthesized C-dots were modified to detect the pesticide in food samples. Synthesized C-dots and functionalized C-dots were characterized using FTIR; SEM; and UV spectroscopy. Microwave synthesized C-dots were of amorphous structure and particle size were in the range of 0.4 to 2.5 nm. The surface passivated C-dots were used as a nanoprobe for cost-effective detection of methyl parathion in food samples; however C-dots without surface passivation were utilized sucessfully for the development of pH paper for determination of pH (3.5–12.5). Fluorescent intensity of developed pH paper varied linearly with the change in the pH. Utilizing optical characteristics and a large number of surface functional groups, C-dots have a potential to be used as a fluorescence or fluorescent sensor to detect methyl parathion from food samples by following the “turn-on-off” mechanism. LOD and LOQ level of surface passivated C-dots were 0.12 and 0.46 mg/L respectively for parathion methyl pesticide.