Citric Acid-Biofunctionalized Carbon Dots as a Potential Fluorescence Tool in the Diagnosis of Diseases

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) or carbon quantum dots are zero- dimensional nanomaterials that have excellent fluorescent properties. Due to their excellent optical properties as well as their other properties such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, photoluminescent and simple synthesis methods they have emerged as promising nanomaterials in disease diagnosis, photodiode, drug delivery, solar cells and many other applications. In the current study, CDs were synthesized from orange peel which are economical, abundant and renewable biomass which has carbon and other functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups making it the ideal precursor for green and sustainable synthesis. To determine their optical and structural properties, the CDs were characterised using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, UV-Visible spectroscopy and FTIR and it also showed bright blue florescence under UV illumination. Also, their interaction with DNA was explored to study their complex formation while their bioimaging potential was demonstrated against harmful bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Hence, these sustainably derived CDs can be used in various application such as gene delivery, bioimaging and a diagnostic tool.