Economical, Green Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots from Lac Extract

Abstract

Fluorescent carbon quantum dots (FCDs) have attracted tremendous interest because of their advantageous characteristics of cost effectiveness and fluorescent nature. In this study, we developed a simple, economical and effective method for the green synthesis of fluorescent carbon quantum dots (FCDs) from Lac of Butea monosperma host tree, a renewable and sustainable resource. The synthesis method involves the low cost hydrothermal process using the Lac extract as a carbon source. The as-synthesized FCDs were characterized by Xray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Spectrofluorophotometer. The synthesized FCDs possess stable good water solubility as well as high quantum yield. The results suggest that the proposed FCDs could be utilized for photovoltaic cell, bio imaging, drug delivery and bio-sensor applications.