Pyrolytic Lignin: A Promising Precursor for the Green Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Nanoparticles
This study presents a simple and cost-effective approach for synthesizing pyrolytic lignin-based carbon dots (CDPLs) via controlled thermal pyrolysis in water. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that pyrolytic lignin has been used as a precursor for carbon dots. The one-pot method produced blue/green fluorescent CDPLs with an average size of 34 nm and a negative surface charge of -10.4 mV. The characterization techniques revealed the optical properties and chemical composition of CDPLs, with a fluorescence quantum yield of 7.9%, which is comparable to those of lignin-derived carbon dots. The decay lifetime of CDPLs was in the nanosecond range, which is typical for carbon dots. This study demonstrates the potential of using pyrolytic lignin, a lignocellulosic byproduct, to produce carbon dots through a simple and reproducible method, contributing to the development of sustainable carbon-based nanomaterials.
Authors
- Graciela Inês Bolzón de Muñiz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4417-0178)
- Gabriel Goetten de Lima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6161-4626)
- Pedro Henrique González de Cademartori (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3295-6907)
- Maiara de Jesus Bassi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4712-8453)
- G. E. Perissutti
- Joslaine Jacumazo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5189-2833)
- Lucimara S. Roman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6567-5920)
- Washington Luiz Esteves Magalhães (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4405-293X)
- Marco Antônio Schiavon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1553-5388)
- Rosinaldo Rabelo Aparício (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5783-4362)
Institutions
- Federal University of São João del-Rei (BR)
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (BR)
- Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre (IE)
- Proteogenomics Research Institute for Systems Medicine (US)
- Quantum Devices (United States) (US)
- Prism Clinical Research (US)
- Instituto Federal Catarinense (BR)
- Materials Research Group (United States) (US)
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (FR)
- Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
- Universidade Federal do Paraná (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Omega
- Published
- 2025-03-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c09764
- Citations
- 10
- Primary Topic
- Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.18
Funders
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas