A simple route to prepare carbonaceous nanospheres from bagasse

We reported a simple route to prepare carbonaceous nanospheres (CNSs) (20–30nm in diameter) from bagasse using a mixture of phosphoric and sulfuric acids while stirring at 50°C for 30min followed by heating for dehydration at 220°C for 1h. It was found that the CNSs were efficient catalysts and recyclable for the esterification of citric acid with n-butanol, in which the esterification rate reached 87.88% for 4h. Meanwhile, luminescent carbonaceous dots were found on the surface of the CNSs. Their maximum emission wavelength was at 425nm under excitation with 330nm wavelengths. The quantum yield was 2.7% under 330nm excitation wavelengths. •This paper describes an entirely new and simple method for preparing the carbonaceous nanospheres (CNSs) from bagasse.•The as prepared CNSs were used as catalysts for the preparation of tributyl citrate.•The luminescent carbonaceous dots were found on the surface of the CNSs.