Off–on sensor based on concentration-dependent multicolor fluorescent carbon dots for detecting pesticides

Abstract

Abstract Nanosensors have received much focus because of their sensitive, simple, and cost-effective nature. This paper presents an environmentally benign and facile method for synthesizing concentration-dependent multicolor fluorescent carbon dots using greengage plums and a single-step hydrothermal method. We use these carbon dots to detect three common pesticides in prepared samples. We confirm the nature of the prepared carbon dots through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. We report, for the first time, that synthesized carbon dots can detect the pesticides confidor, dialen super, and duplosan. The prepared nanosensor does not identify the pesticides bromoxynil, diazinon, glyphosate, malathion and deltamethrin, confirming its detection specificity. This novel nanosensor has a high specificity and a detection limit of approximately 10−8 ppm. We also investigate the static quenching and selectivity of this nanosensor. The primary advantages of the prepared nanosensor are its rapid selectivity and ultra-low detection limit.