Pomegranate leaf extract-based carbon dots for the selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol

Green synthesis of highly soluble and photostable carbon dots (CDs) through hydrothermal treatment of highly carbonaceous pomegranate leaf extract has been demonstrated. Since the oxygen-containing functional groups of CDs can interact with nitro groups of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP), the PL intensity of the as-prepared CDs was significantly quenched in the presence of 2,4,6-TNP; this phenomenon was ascribed to the formation of a ground state complex caused by the inner filter effect mechanism. The developed sensing platform displayed a linear curve with a detection limit of 0.0620 μM and regression coefficient of 0.99616 for different concentrations of 2,4,6-TNP ranging from 0 to 120.0 μM.