Variation in the photodegradability of a set of green carbon quantum dots towards aflatoxin B1: A study of photodegradation parameters

Every day, nature bestows upon us a treasure trove, its precious plant pharmacy, serving as an effective therapeutic and investigative remedy for a number of intractable diseases affecting its environment. This research focuses on integrating the project's objective with its novelty. Four sets of quantum carbon dots (CQDs) were prepared from four plant extracts (Melaleuca viminalis, Bougainvillea, Nerium oleander and Damask rose) (specifically the flower parts) using the solvothermal method. Physicochemical characterization (XRD, FESEM, FTIR, GC-MS, DRS, UV-Vis.) demonstrated the differentiation of the morphology, crystalline state, and chemical composition of the constituent compounds in each flower extract. The energy gaps of all CQDs samples in the 2-2.7 eV range and the absorption peaks, which revealed the effectiveness of the chemical components in the visible spectrum, provided a comprehensive overview of the variation in the ability of the preparef CQDs to degrade aflatoxin B on its solutions under visible light irradiation. Aflatoxin B was degraded at rates of 67% by CQDs-DR., 73% by CQDs-Bo., 77% by CQDs-MV., and 71% By CQDs-NO.in an alkaline medium. All carbon-based quantum dot structures exhibited very good photodegradability at low (2 and 7 ppm) and medium (10 and 13 ppm) concentrations, with only slight variations in the percentage of degradation, unlike at high concentrations (17 and 20 ppm). All CQDs were able to degrade aflatoxin B in up to 300 minutes.