Economical, green synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles and their use as probes for sensitive and selective detection of mercury(II) ions

The present article reports on a simple, economical, and green preparative strategy toward water-soluble, fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CPs) with a quantum yield of approximately 6.9% by hydrothermal process using low cost wastes of pomelo peel as a carbon source for the first time. We further explore the use of such CPs as probes for a fluorescent Hg 2+ detection application, which is based on Hg 2+-induced fluorescence quenching of CPs. This sensing system exhibits excellent sensitivity and selectivity toward Hg 2+, and a detection limit as low as 0.23 nM is achieved. The practical use of this system for Hg 2+ determination in lake water samples is also demonstrated successfully. © 2012 American Chemical Society.