In a recent development highlighted in scientific news, invasive plant water hyacinth has been utilized by researchers to manufacture carbon nanoparticles. These particles can be used for detecting a commonly used herbicide, pretilachlor. The research has demonstrated the nanoparticles to be sensitive and selective for the detection of this specific herbicide.
About Carbon Dots
A significant part of this innovative process is the creation of carbon dots. Simply put, when a nanoparticle measures less than 10 nanometres, it is referred to as a dot or nanodot. In this case, the water hyacinth is stripped of its chlorophyll, powdered and then heated at a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius to convert it into carbon dots.
Working Principle of Carbon Dots
These carbon dots have interesting fluorescence properties. When subjected to UltraViolet (UV) light, they display a green fluorescence. This is due to the oxygen functional groups that exist on the surface of the dot. The intensity of this fluorescence increases when the herbicide is present. Through an electron transfer between the dot and the herbicide, the fluorescence enhancement is accomplished. Particularly, the carbon dot is extremely sensitive to pretilachlor and can detect even a very small quantity of it.
Potential Advantages
Detecting herbicides with carbon dots presents several potential advantages. Importantly, it could become a commercially viable alternative to currently available sensors in the market. This is primarily because the raw material required, the water hyacinth, is readily available. Moreover, it would assist in converting waste material like water hyacinths into useful technology.
About Water Hyacinth
| Native Region | Growth Rate | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| South America | Duplicates itself every nine days | Adversely affects local ecology, irrigation, hydroelectric generation, navigation, fish production and increases diseases caused by mosquitoes. |
The water hyacinth, native to South America, is a free-floating aquatic plant. It is considered an invasive alien species due to its rapid growth rate and disruptive impact on local ecosystems. A single water hyacinth plant is capable of duplicating itself roughly every nine days. This has earned it the title “terror of Bengal,” due to the detrimental effects it has had on the local ecology and the lives of the people in that area. Among other issues, it can interfere with irrigation, hydroelectric generation, and navigation. Furthermore, it can lead to a severe decline in fish production and aquatic crops, as well as increasing diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.