Ziziphus mauritiana-derived nitrogen-doped biogenic carbon dots: Eco-friendly catalysts for dye degradation and antibacterial applications

In this study, the naturally available Ziziphus Mauritiana was used as a bioresource for the preparation of bifunctional nitrogen doped carbon dots (N-CDs). The doping of nitrogen into the graphitic carbon skeleton and the in-situ formation of N-CDs were systematically identified by the various structural and morphological studies. The green fluorescent N-CDs were used as active catalysts for the removal of Safranin-O dye and achieved 79 % removal efficiency. Furthermore, the prepared N-CDs were used to evaluate antibacterial activity with four different bacterial species, such as Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Amongst these, the highest antimicrobial activity was achieved against Klebsiella pneumonia, with a maximum zone of inhibition of 14.6 ± 1.12 at a concentration of 100 g mL−1. Thus, the obtained results demonstrate the cost efficient bifunctional application prospects of N-CDs to achieve significant catalytic and antibacterial activities. [Display omitted] •Eco-friendly approach inspired nitrogen doped carbon dots are developed.•N-CDs favours to catalytic dye degradation and bacterial growth control.•Heteroatom doped carbon skeleton provides efficient bifunctional activity.