Influence of Microwave Power on the Characteristics of Carbon Dots Synthesized from Corn Husks
Keywords:
Carbon dots (CDs), Corn husk, Microwave-assisted method, Power levels, Characterization, StabilityAbstract
Carbon nanomaterials, particularly carbon dots (CDs), are recognized for their remarkable properties such as fluorescence, biocompatibility, and ease of surface functionalization, making them suitable for bioimaging, drug delivery, and environmental monitoring. Despite their potential, there remains a significant gap in understanding how synthesis methods, particularly the microwave-assisted method, influence their properties. The microwave-assisted method offers rapid, energy-efficient, and scalable synthesis by subjecting precursor materials to microwave radiation, resulting in the swift formation of CDs. This study focuses on synthesizing corn husk-carbon dots (CH-CDs) using varying microwave power levels of 450 W, 600 W, 750 W, and 900 W. Characterization techniques include Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy to analyze absorption properties, zeta potential analysis to measure particle stability in the dispersed system, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify functional groups. Results indicated that higher microwave power enhances stability, with CH-CDs synthesized at 900 W exhibiting the most negative zeta potential values, signifying increased electrostatic repulsion and stability. UV-VIS spectra exhibited a distinct absorption peak at 292 nm and a weaker peak between 300-360 nm, while FTIR analysis revealed the presence of key functional groups like hydroxyl and carbonyl, essential for surface functionality, suggesting that microwave-assisted synthesis at optimal power levels can significantly influence carbon dots properties.
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