Waste Utilization of Synthetic Carbon Quantum Dots Based on Tea and Peanut Shell

According to the concept of waste utilization and environmental protection, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with high quantum yield and good stability were synthesized from waste tea leaves and peanut shells by a one-step hydrothermal method. In this study, we explored the synthetic conditions, structures, and optical properties of CQDs. Their unique characteristics of emitting strong and steady blue fluorescence under excitation of ultraviolet light and possessing of plenty of hydrophilic groups on a surface conferred CQD potentials in the field of biomarkers and analytical detection.