Green synthesis of fluorescent graphene quantum dots and its application in selective curcumin detection

Herein, we present a facile low-cost and eco-friendly approach for conversion of bamboo timber waste (Bf) derived cellulose nanocrystals (Bf-CNCs) into strong blue luminescent graphene quantum dots (Bf-GQDs) by hydrothermal route. The various properties of synthesized Bf-GQDs were investigated using different spectroscopic techniques. The probable mechanism of Bf-GQDs formation from Bf-CNCs and the effect of pH, particle size on the fluorescent properties of Bf-GQDs also executed. Furthermore, Bf-GQDs were used for the detection of curcumin in an aqueous environment which is the major prerequisite of the present study. The Bf-GQDs showed remarkable photoluminescence (PL) quenching kinetics toward the curcumin (LOD 30.0 nM L−1) assessed by Stern-Volmer plot. The practicability of the method assessed using ginger rhizome juice, while the selectivity of the Bf-GQDs evaluated against different metal ions and different biochemicals. The proposed method will support to establish the strategies for the detection of biochemicals from the aqueous system.