From Structure to Sensing: Molecular Mechanistic Insights into Plant-Derived Carbon Dots for Heavy Metal Ion Detection
Himanshi Soni, Vicky Jain, Suhas Ballal, Indang Ariati Ariffin, Mamata Chahar, Suman Saini, Monika Bhattu, Harbinder Singh, Mikhaël Bechelany, Jagpreet Singh
Abstract
Plant-derived carbon dots (P-CDs) are gaining attention in environmental remediation due to their cost-effectiveness, availability, and lower toxicity compared with chemically synthesized carbon dots. This review comprehensively examines the recent advancements in the synthesis and application of P-CDs, with a particular emphasis on their efficacy in the sensing of heavy metals, which are among the most pervasive environmental contaminants. A detailed comparative analysis is presented by evaluating the performance of P-CDs against their chemically synthesized counterparts based on key parameters, such as optimal operating conditions and detection limits. Furthermore, sensing the potential of P-CDs towards every heavy metal ion has been discussed with in-depth mechanistic insights. Additionally, this review explores the industrial applications and future directions of P-CDs. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of -P-CDs for heavy metal sensing, aiming to enhance their sensitivity and selectivity toward heavy metal ions.