ItemArticle

Fluorescent nanocellulose derived from Plectranthus barbatus for the selective detection of Pb(ii) ions in aqueous solutions

Title
Fluorescent nanocellulose derived from Plectranthus barbatus for the selective detection of Pb(ii) ions in aqueous solutions
Creator
Jose, Joshua; Mathew, Aishwarya Joji; Gabriel, Elizabeth; James, Ancilin; Vinod, T.P.
Description
This study reports the synthesis of fluorescent nanocellulose from Plectranthus barbatus and its effective use as a fluorescent probe for the detection of Pb(ii) ions in aqueous solutions. Nanocellulose, a nanoscale derivative of cellulose, is used in a variety of applications, such as sensing, food packaging, and biomedical applications, owing to its characteristic properties. In sensing applications, it is mostly used as a support or substrate for the sensing probe. Nanocellulose shows intrinsic fluorescence, which can be harnessed for sensing applications. This underexplored research domain holds significant potential for developing sustainable and cost-effective sensing materials. We synthesized nanocellulose from Plectranthus barbatus (PBNC) and employed it as a fluorescent probe for the detection of Pb(ii). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the potential of fluorescent nanocellulose for metal ion detection. The properties of fluorescent nanocellulose, PBNC, were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The fluorescence intensity of the nanocellulose was remarkably quenched in the presence of Pb(ii) ions selectively. The detection limit (LOD) of Pb(ii) using PBNC was found to be 2.7 nM. PBNC is a novel autofluorescent material that functions as an efficient nanosensor for the detection of Pb(ii) ions, and its applications can be extended to bio-imaging and sensing in biological, chemical, and environmental samples. This journal is The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2026.
Source
Nanoscale Advances;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Coverage
Jose J., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Mathew A.J., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Gabriel E., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India; James A., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Vinod T.P., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India, Centre for Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India
Rights
All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Relation
ISSN: 25160230;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Jose, Joshua; Mathew, Aishwarya Joji; Gabriel, Elizabeth; James, Ancilin; Vinod, T.P., “Fluorescent nanocellulose derived from Plectranthus barbatus for the selective detection of Pb(ii) ions in aqueous solutions,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22568.

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