@article{
author = "Dorontić, Slađana and Bonasera, Aurelio and Scopelliti, Michelangelo and Marković, Olivera and Bajuk Bogdanović, Danica and Ciasca, Gabriele and Romanò, Sabrina and Dimkić, Ivica and Budimir, Milica and Marinković, Dragana and Jovanović, Svetlana P.",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Structural modification of different carbon-based nanomaterials is often necessary toimprove their morphology and optical properties, particularly the incorporation of N-atoms ingraphene quantum dots (GQDs). Here, a clean, simple, one-step, and eco-friendly method forN-doping of GQDs using gamma irradiation is reported. GQDs were irradiated in the presenceof the different ethylenediamine (EDA) amounts (1 g, 5 g, and 10 g) and the highest % of N wasdetected in the presence of 10 g. N-doped GQDs emitted strong, blue photoluminescence (PL).Photoluminescence quantum yield was increased from 1.45, as obtained for non-irradiated dots,to 7.24% for those irradiated in the presence of 1 g of EDA. Modified GQDs were investigated asa PL probe for the detection of insecticide Carbofuran (2,2-Dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate) and herbicide Amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole). The limit of detection was5.4 µmol L−1for Carbofuran. For the first time, Amitrole was detected by GQDs in a turn-off/turn-onmechanism using Pd(II) ions as a quenching agent. First, Pd(II) ions were quenched (turn-off) PLof GQDs, while after Amitrole addition, PL was recovered linearly with Amitrole concentration(turn-on). LOD was 2.03 µmol L−1. These results suggest that modified GQDs can be used as anefficient new material for Carbofuran and Amitrole detection. Furthermore, the phototoxicity of dotswas investigated on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. When bacterial cellswere exposed to different GQD concentrations and illuminated with light of 470 nm wavelength, thetoxic effects were not observed.",
journal = "Nanomaterials",
title = "Gamma-ray-induced structural transformation of GQDs towards the improvement of their optical properties, monitoring of selected toxic compounds, and photo-induced effect on bacterial strains",
volume = "12",
pages = "2714",
doi = "10.3390/nano12152714"
}