Nanocircularity in Agriculture with BioC-Dots: Vinasse-Derived Carbon-Dots and Their Usage as Potential Metal Ion Sensors.

The sugar cane refining industry is crucial in producing sugar and biofuel ethanol. However, as demand for these products has grown, so has the generation of waste, with vinasse emerging as the primary pollutant. This study investigates the potential of utilizing vinasse as a raw material to produce carbon dots (BioC-dots), a high-value product. Application of the synthesized BioC-dots in metal ion detection is yet to be explored. Luminescent nanocarbons (BioC-dots) were successfully synthesized from vinasse using a green synthesis method and characterized through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, UV-vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, which revealed a quantum yield ranging from 2.5% to 19%. TG-DTA curves and FTIR spectra revealed a remarkable thermal behavior and main functional groups of the surface of nanocarbon. The interaction of metals with BioC-dots in solution demonstrated their potential as effective sensors for cobalt and zinc ions in aqueous environments, showing detection limits of 13.57 and 18.22 mmol L, respectively.