LOW-TEMPERATURE GREEN PREPARATION OF OXYGEN FUNCTIONALIZED GRAPHITIC CARBON NITRIDE FOR SELECTIVE FLUORESCENCE SENSING OF CHROMIUM (VI)IONS IN TANNERY EFFLUENT AND FOOD SAMPLES
Graphitic Carbon Nitride (GCN) has gained value in the field of sensors due to its unique electronic band structureand electron transfer characteristics, resulting in improved fluorescent properties. Functionalizing the surface of GCN with heteroatoms enables selective sensing of the target analyte. Thus, the present study involves thepreparation of Oxygen-functionalized GCN from the urea and aqueous extract of the leaves of Moringa oleiferathrough a simple, low-temperature thermal carbonisation method. The microstructure, chemical functionalities, surface-active principles, and surface morphology of the prepared GCN were studied extensively usingspectroscopic and microscopic tools. The fluorescence activity of the prepared GCN was analysed with respect toall significant experimental parameters, and its behaviour was further explored for selective sensing of heavy metal ions. The prepared GCN exhibited a lower detectable limit of 59 µM towards sensing of Chromium (VI) ions, andwassuccessfully applied for detecting Cr (VI) ions as pollutants in tannery industrial effluent and adulterants incommercial food-grade turmeric powders. The study contributes to the sustainable field of nanotechnologybydeveloping a simple, economical, and energy-efficient low-temperature method for the preparation of functionalizedGCN. The path forward of the present study will be to focus on tuning the surface chemistry of the prepared GCNtoachieve improved sensitivity and broader applicability in environmental and biomedical monitoring. Ultimately, thestudy highlights the potential of eco-friendly precursors in developing advanced functional nano sensors for detecting Cr (VI) in industrial effluents, which matches with the Sustainable Development Goal-6 (SDG-6).
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