Synthesis and characterization of GQDS from carbon containing materials

In this study, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were synthesized at different temperatures and times by carbonization method using lemon leaves (citrus limonum), molasses and pine leaves (pistachio pine, (Cedrus libani, Pinus nigra)). In addition, for the synthesis of nitrogen-doped GQDs (N-GQDs), a 1:3 mass ratio of molasses-triethanolamine and molasses-triethylamine mixtures were carbonized at different temperatures for 2 hours in the air environment. Characterizations of carbonized samples were determined by FT-IR XRD; SEM-EDAX; Elemental Analysis; UV-VIS; Fluorescence Spectrophotometer analysis methods. In addition, their luminescence under UV-A and UV-C lamps were investigated. It has been determined that carbonized products; obtained from molasses carbonized at 300°C for 2 hours and dried lemon leaves carbonized at 350°C for 3 hours and dried pine leaves carbonized at 350°C for 6 hours and molasses-triethanolamine mixtures carbonized at 350°C for 2 hours and molasses-triethyleneamine mixtures carbonized at 350°C for 2 hours; have more distinctive graphene quantum dot properties than other carbonized products. Keywords: Graphene Quantum Dots, Biomass, Carbonization, Fluorescence, Quantum Confinement