Synthesis of carbon quantum dots and their use in the fabrication of sensors based on surface plasmon resonance.
Carbon quantum dots - Sensing devices - Surface Plasmonic Resonance - Carbon nanomaterials
Throughout this research, the synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) was carried out using Peat as a precursor. The microstructure and morphology of the precursor and nanomaterial were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (FL), and Transmission Electron Microscopy of High Resolution (HRTEM). Quantum dots were deposited on a gold/Optical Glass BK7 substrate using the SpinCoating technique in order to use it as a sensory device based on Surface Plasmonic Resonance (SPR). The setup adopted for the elaboration of the experimental apparatus was the Kretschmann configuration. Next, the Reflection Intensity curves were generated as a function of the Incidence Angle characteristic of the device, called SPR curves. The same curves were also generated for the devices in the presence of ammonia. In the same way, the SPR curves were generated, with and without ammonia, for the device with CQDs deposition, and the graphs were then compared. From this comparison, it was possible to observe an improvement in the sensor response with CQDs when exposed to the analyte.