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From Waste to Wealth: An Integrated and Green Chemistry Experiment on Fabricating Smartphone-Based Fluorescent Sensors for Tetracycline Detection

delete2026-07-08
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PRE
AI
Y
Youming Tang
Y
Yonggang Liang
T
Ting Ling
J
Jing Cheng *
李迎春 (Yingchun Li)
L
Lihong Jiang
DOI:10.1021/acs.jchemed.6c00121delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
This comprehensive experiment presents an innovative, multidisciplinary project designed for undergraduate students, integrating the principles of analytical chemistry, environmental protection, and digital literacy. Students turn waste orange peels into nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CDs) via a facile hydrothermal synthesis. These N-CDs are then combined with Eu3+ ions to construct a fluorescent sensing system for the detection of tetracycline (TC), thereby enabling students to grasp the concept of waste valorization. The experiment culminates with the development of a portable, solid-state hydrogel kit, and students use a smartphone to perform quantitative RGB analysis, achieving a detection limit of 40.604 μmol·L–1. Over the course of this project, students gain hands-on experience in nanomaterial synthesis, fluorescence spectroscopy, sensor design, and data analysis using modern digital technology. This comprehensive approach not only reinforces fundamental chemical concepts but also fosters critical thinking and highlights the role of chemistry in addressing real-world environmental challenges.
Keywords:
Carbon nanomaterials
Fluorescence
Quantum dots
Students
Wastes
Upper-Division Undergraduate
Analytical Chemistry
Green Chemistry
Project-Based Learning
Carbon Quantum Dots
Fluorescence Sensing

Journal

Journal of Chemical Education cover
Journal of Chemical Education
IF:
2.9
Papers:
1.2K
Citations:
2.3W

Organization

H
Harbin Institute of Technology
Scholars:
1.1W
Papers: 3.8K
Citations: 8.5W
Cited Papers

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