Highly green fluorescent carbon quantum dots synthesis via hydrothermal method from fish scale

Water-soluble highly green fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are prepared by a simple one step hydrothermal carbonization of cost-effective wastes of fish scale to hydrophilic, green luminescent carbon dots (CQDs). The synthesized CQDs optical, physical and chemical properties are examined by UV–Vis and photoluminescence spectra, (PL shows high green emission 406 at the excitation of 330 nm and UV–Vis spectra shows two major peaks at 266 and 371 represents π → π ∗ and n → π ∗ transition respectively). As synthesized CQDs are spherical morphology and the size of CQDs is ~ 6 ± 1 nm. Synthesized CQDs are used for energy and water treatment application.