Abstract
Carbon dots (C-dots) are zero-dimensional, carbon-based fluorescent nanoparticles that have gained significant attention due to their exceptional optical, chemical, and physical properties, along with their biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, and facile synthesis. These characteristics make C-dots versatile for applications in biomedical fields, food packaging, anti-counterfeiting, and semiconductors. Despite the exploration of natural products for C-dot synthesis, using oils to synthesize C-dots remains underexplored. In this study, we synthesized C-dots using coconut oil, a lauric acid-rich renewable resource, through a bottom-up approach. A mixture of coconut oil, citric acid, and ethylenediamine was treated at 180°C for 12 hours, followed by purification via centrifugation and lyophilization. The optical properties of the C-dots were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The resulting fluorescent C-dots demonstrate potential for biomedical applications, including fluorescent imaging and drug delivery in cancer therapy.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Regina Graham, Dr. Sajini Hettiarachchi, Dr. Steven Vanni
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-2-2025 12:45 PM
End Date
4-3-2025 12:00 AM
Coconut Oil as a Renewable Source for Carbon Dot Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Characterization
Alvin Sherman Library
Carbon dots (C-dots) are zero-dimensional, carbon-based fluorescent nanoparticles that have gained significant attention due to their exceptional optical, chemical, and physical properties, along with their biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, and facile synthesis. These characteristics make C-dots versatile for applications in biomedical fields, food packaging, anti-counterfeiting, and semiconductors. Despite the exploration of natural products for C-dot synthesis, using oils to synthesize C-dots remains underexplored. In this study, we synthesized C-dots using coconut oil, a lauric acid-rich renewable resource, through a bottom-up approach. A mixture of coconut oil, citric acid, and ethylenediamine was treated at 180°C for 12 hours, followed by purification via centrifugation and lyophilization. The optical properties of the C-dots were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The resulting fluorescent C-dots demonstrate potential for biomedical applications, including fluorescent imaging and drug delivery in cancer therapy.
