Green tea waste–derived carbon dots: efficient degradation of RhB dye and selective sensing of Cu2+ ions

Herein, we have synthesized carbon dots (CDs) using a one-step hydrothermal method from green tea waste, a biomass-derived source with high fluorescent properties and excellent solubility in water. The synthesis of CDs was confirmed through a comprehensive range of characterization techniques, including HRTEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), and EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). The optical properties of the synthesized CDs were assessed using UV–Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy. The CDs displayed exceptional stability across a wide pH range and various concentrations. Moreover, these CDs exhibited a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 21.6%, indicating their efficiency in emitting fluorescent light upon excitation. The CDs also showcased their prowess in fluorometrically detecting Cu 2+ ions, displaying high sensitivity and selectivity. They presented two distinct linear ranges: 0.02 to 50 µM and 50 to 100 µM, with recovery rates ranging from 94.2 to 104.06%. Moreover, under visible light irradiation, the CDs exhibited significant efficiency in the photocatalytic removal of dyes. Specifically, the CDs achieved degradation rate of 97.89% for Rhodamine B (RhB) within a 30-min irradiation period. In the context of RhB adsorption, it is evident that the experimental data align more closely with the Freundlich isotherm than the Langmuir isotherm. This is substantiated by a higher R 2 value (0.97) for the Freundlich isotherm model compared to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (0.93). Notably, the adsorption kinetics was effectively described by pseudo first-order kinetics models. Overall, these results highlight the promising potential of CDs in applications such as environmental remediation and waste treatment processes due to their photocatalytic and sensing capabilities. Graphical Abstract