Synthesis of carbon dots for Al sensing in water by fluorescence assay.

Fifty-four Eucommia ulmoides leaves were subjected to a hydrothermal technique to synthesize carbon dots (CDs) of 3.55 ± 1.45 nm size. The nanomaterial possessed excellent stability and strong fluorescence emission (φ 42.3%). In a neutral buffer solution, the fluorescence signals of CDs solution were enhanced by aluminium ion without interference from other ions. Degree of enhancement correlated linearly with the Al content in the range 0.01-2.5 mM. Response of this method was fast and sensitive (detection limit was 23 nM). The CDs performed successfully as a sensitive sensor for trace Al determination in water samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.