Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots from discarded cigarette butts as an effective fluorescence probe for sensing iron ions

A green synthesis method for preparing fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) from discarded cigarette butts was described. This method reduces costs and environmental pollution and is fully in line with the development of green chemistry. The as-synthesized CDs can be designed as a fluorescent probe for detecting iron ions (Fe3+) with highly selective and sensitive detection in the range of 0.5-800 mu M. The reliability of the proposed probe was studied using tap water as a real sample, and satisfactory results were obtained.