Simple and Low-Cost Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots from Corn Husks

This work illustrates a sustainable and simple design for synthesizing Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) from agricultural waste i.e. corn husks. Corn husks serve as a main source of carbon for the CQDs synthesis using the hydrothermal method. The carbon fragments were successfully synthesized from the experimental results before the addition of surfactants. After that, surfactants were incorporated into the experimental setup. By introducing CTAB, CQDs were successfully synthesized within the desired size within the range of 10 nm. This study observed and varied the factors that affect the formation of CQDs such as the effect of alkali solution and the effect of surfactants.