Synthesis of fluorescent based nanomaterials; characterization, investigation of photocatalytic, sensor, and biological activities

Nanotechnology has made tremendous progress in the last decade and has presented different applications in various sectors. Among the synthesized nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) are advantageous due to their easy functionalization, conductivity, surface area, and electrical activity. Therefore, they are called "Wonder materials". However, other wonder materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), have unique properties that make them promising candidates for various high-tech applications. In this thesis, a wide range of composites have been prepared by combining the advantages of MOFs and CNMs, with superior properties to their parent materials. These composites have a remarkable impact on the development of MOF-carbon composites, combining metal-organic frameworks with carbon-based materials. This thesis presents comprehensive studies on the preparation of KNM@MOF composites and focuses on their activities in important areas such as water treatment, sensors, and biological applications. Within the scope of this thesis, CuO@MIL-125-NH2@g-C3N4, CQD@MIL-101(Fe), GQD@ZIF-67, CQD@ZIF-67@MIL-125(Ti), MIL-53(Fe)@MIL-125(Ti)@MWCNT composite structures were synthesized. To investigate the chemical and morphological properties of the synthesized composites, they were characterized by characterization techniques such as TEM, FE-SEM, XRD, UV-Vis, and FL spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity studies of the synthesized composites were carried out for cleaning wastewater, and it was determined that the composite structures were largely effective in cleaning wastewater. Anticancer and antibacterial properties of the synthesized composites were analysed in biological activity studies. Anticancer activity experiments were tested against HT-29 and Hep-G2 cancer cell lines and IC50 values at the end of 24, 48, and 72 hours were calculated. Antibacterial activities were tested using gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria. Biofilm studies were also performed. Considering the properties of the synthesized composites in sensor applications, fluorescent and colorimetric sensor studies were performed. CQD@MIL-101(Fe), GQD@ZIF-67, and CQD@MIL-125(Ti)@ZIF-67 composites were examined as fluorescent sensors for the detection of highly hazardous and toxic chromium (VI) Cr6+ heavy metal, which are frequently found in wastewater. Sensor studies of CuO@MIL-125-NH2@g-C3N4 and MIL-53(Fe)@MIL-125(Ti)@MWCNT composites were performed on colorimetric sensors for the detection of H2O2 and glucose. The obtained results revealed that MOF@KNM-based hybrid composites are successful in water treatment, anticancer activity, antibacterial activity, and sensor applications. In summary, we can say that the synthesized carbon-MOF hybrids represent a new field of highly advanced hybrid materials with a wide range of useful applications.