The Effect of Amino-functionalization on Photoluminescence Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse-derived Carbon Quantum Dots

Muhammad Wahyu Nugraha; Nonni Soraya Sambudi; Laksmi Dewi Kasmiarno; Norashikin Ahmad Kamal

Muhammad Wahyu Nugraha Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak 32610, Malaysia
Nonni Soraya Sambudi Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak 32610, Malaysia
Laksmi Dewi Kasmiarno Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Pertamina, Simprug, Jakarta Selatan, 12220, Indonesia
Norashikin Ahmad Kamal Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor, 40450, Malaysia

Keywords: Amino-functionalization, Carbon quantum dots, Quantum yield, Sugarcane bagasse, tunable

Abstract

In the present study, amino-functionalized carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were prepared from sugarcane bagasse using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. Both ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic (EDTA) & ethylenediamine (EDA) were used as carbon and amino sources, respectively. The emerging utilization of natural carbon precursors is critically essential considering its low cost, eco-friendly, and unexploited by-products (e.g., sugarcane bagasse), which may have sustainable economic and strategic benefits. The as-prepared N-CQDs were characterized using High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The influences of amine groups were investigated. The as-prepared N-CQDs photoluminescence intensity increased and quenched significantly with EDTA and EDA amino-functionalization, respectively, with the highest quantum yield at 21.21%, 2.4 times higher than non-functionalized CQDs. Furthermore, the amino-functional groups can alter the CQDs structure and particle size ranging from 4.197±1.058 nm to 9.704±1.428 nm. Hence, the N-CQDs produced exhibit highly tunable photoluminescence and particle size potentially applicable in diverse applications.

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