Electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions using gold nanoparticles on carbon dots extracted from curry leaves

Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted attention due to their versatility in electronic and optical properties based on precursor and type of synthesis process. Recently, many researchers have focused on using natural resources or wastes to form CDs. Four samples of CDs have been synthesized from curry leaves using a microwave-assisted approach at heating powers of 700 and 800 V with durations of 5 and 8 minutes. UV-Vis and FTIR spectra reveal the existence of carbon graphitic elements with carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups on the surfaces of CDs. CVs of AuNPs/CDs/GS electrodes in ferricyanide disclosed that as-synthesized CDs produced using a lower heating power of 700 W exhibit pronounced electrocatalytic activity with sluggish electron transfer kinetics. Conversely, as-synthesized CDs created with a higher heating power of 800 W demonstrate reduced electrocatalytic activity but rapid electron transfer kinetics. Electrochemical detection of Pb2+ ions was observed through a sharp peak around -0.42 to -0.438 V, while detection of Hg2+ ions was observed through two anodic peaks around +0.334 to +0.408 V during a forward scan in acetate buffer (pH 4.5) on AuNPs/CDs/GS electrodes when tested individually. These distinct peaks also appeared in mixture solutions, with a slight reduction in peak current density that suggests the selectivity of the AuNPs/CDs/GS electrodes towards Pb2+ and Hg2+ ion detection. The optimum AuNPs/CDs/GS electrode for sensitive and selective detection of Pb2+ and Hg2+ was recorded using CDs D as a functional supporting matrix for AuNPs that was synthesized using a heating power of 800 W for 8 minutes.