High fluorescent carbon dots/Ag as a sensitive sensor for tetracycline waste in aqueous solution

Currently, antibiotics waste produced by hospitals and pharmacies is increasing, increasing demand and public consumption. Tetracyclines are a popular type of antibiotic that can pollute the environment even in low concentrations. This study aimed to detect tetracyclines in an aqueous environment using C-dots/Ag. C-dots material was synthesized by microwave radiation method with the addition of Ag 0-4 %. C-dots/Ag is produced in the form of a brown-black powder that glows green. FTIR testing shows that C-dots/Ag contains various functional groups O-H, N-H, C-H, C=O, and C=C. The surface morphology of the C-dots based on SEM testing is round and rough. Ag’s addition causes C-dots’ surface morphology to agglomerate, shifting the C-dots’ absorbance peaks towards a larger wavelength and decreasing the energy bandgap. C-dots/Ag 2% has the best optical properties based on the intensity of the resulting fluency. In general, C-dots/Ag has excellent potential to be a susceptible, selective, and effective tetracycline detection agent.