Olive Oil to Carbon Dots: A Renewable Pathway in Green Chemistry

Olive Oil to Carbon Dots: A Renewable Pathway in Green Chemistry

Alvin Sherman Library

Olive oil, rich in triglycerides like oleic acid, is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, yet its potential in nanoparticle synthesis is underexplored. This study focuses on synthesizing fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) from extra virgin olive oil using a bottom-up approach. Cdots are valued for their unique optical, physical, and chemical properties, making them suitable for applications in semiconductors, biomedical research, food packaging, and LED technology. The synthesis involved heating a mixture of olive oil, citric acid, and ethylenediamine at 180°C for 72 hours. The resulting C-dots underwent purification through liquid-liquid extraction and freeze-drying, yielding water-free, oily fluorescent carbon dots. These C-dots were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and FTIR analysis. Future research will investigate their biomedical applications, particularly their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, as well as their use in bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery systems.