TY - JOUR KW - Biocompatibility; Environmental management; Fluorescence quenching; Heavy metals; Metal ions; Nanocrystals; Optical properties; Particle size; Quality management; Quantum yield; Semiconductor quantum dots; Sodium compounds; Sulfur compounds; Surface active agents; Synthesis (chemical); Toxic materials; Transition metals; Water conservation; Water quality KW - Carbon dioxide nanobubble exfoliation; Carbon quantum dots; Conventional synthesis; Fe 3+; Fe3+ detection; Fluorescence quenching; Heavy metals detection; Nanobubbles; Synthesis method; Synthesized carbon KW - Carbon dioxide TI - Synthesis of carbon quantum dots via electrochemically-induced carbon dioxide nanobubbles exfoliation of graphite for heavy metal detection in wastewater ID - scholars19645 IS - 3 N2 - Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) offer significant promise across industries due to their distinctive optical properties and strong biocompatibility. However, conventional synthesis methods frequently need more precision in controlling nanoparticle size, shape, and uniformity, limiting their versatility in diverse applications. Therefore, this study introduced an innovative approach to synthesising CQDs by combining electrochemical techniques with carbon dioxide (CO2) nanobubbles, circumventing the need for conventional surfactant-based exfoliation. According to the findings, the synthesised CQDs exhibited remarkable properties, including a high quantum yield of 26.17 and an average particle size of 2.24 ± 1.07 nm. Such characteristics render them exceptionally suitable for portable sensors for heavy metal detection in wastewater. Moreover, the investigation revealed the outstanding selectivity of the synthesised CQDs, particularly towards iron (Fe3+) ions, but demonstrated limited reactivity towards lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) ions. The novel approach also generated non-toxic CQD under the supply of CO2 nanobubbles, which offers a scalable avenue for developing advanced materials for various applications, including sensors for heavy metal ion detection in wastewater. The conventional synthesis method that relied on sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) surfactants without CO2 nanobubbles yielded CQDs with a significantly lower quantum yield of 11.2. In short, incorporating CO2 nanobubbles with electrochemical techniques enhanced quantum yield and superior control over the size and shape of the synthesized CQDs. This novel method successfully produced CQDs with scalable distinct morphologies and provided a new understanding of the CQD synthesis mechanism, with potential applications in portable sensing for environmental monitoring and water quality management. © 2024 The Authors N1 - cited By 0 AV - none VL - 12 UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85189755565&doi=10.1016%2fj.jece.2024.112715&partnerID=40&md5=a4a378824774074272e1bdcba0dcdff4 A1 - Yat, Y.D. A1 - Foo, H.C.Y. A1 - Tan, I.S. A1 - Lam, M.K. A1 - Show, P.L. A1 - Ng, B.W.L. JF - Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering Y1 - 2024/// ER -