Synthesis of Green Photoluminescence Carbon Dots Using Edible Seafood Mushroom and Their Anti-Counterfeiting Applications

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as versatile fluorescent nanomaterials for diverse applications. The synthesis of CDs from natural products offers a sustainable alternative to chemical methods. This study presents the preparation of green fluorescent CDs (G-CDs) using seafood mushrooms as the carbon source and 5-amino-2-methylphenol as the nitrogen source through a hydrothermal approach. The G-CDs exhibit maximum excitation/emission peaks at 467/519 nm and a high quantum yield of up to 17.2% in ethanol. Additionally, the G-CDs demonstrate excellent photostability, salt tolerance, and chemical stability. The excitation-independent emissions suggest the presence of unique surface-state luminescent centers. The application of the G-CDs as an anti-counterfeiting fluorescent ink is demonstrated. This work highlights the promise of converting natural food sources into high-performance CDs, expanding their utility across various domains including biomedicine, sensing, and security.