Description:Form 2

THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

“A PROCESS OF SYNTHESIS OF CARBON QUANTUM DOTS FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE BY MICROWAVE PYROLYSIS”

in the name of KOTHARI SUGARS AND CHEMICALS LTD an Indian National having address at KOTHARI BUILDINGS, 115 MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD, NUNGAMBAKKAM, CHENNAI, CHENNAI – 600034, TAMIL NADU, INDIA.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

SOURCE AND GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN OF THE BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL:

SL.
NO COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME PART OF BIOLOGICAL SOURCES SOURCE OF ACCESS DETAILS OF GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
1. Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum Stalk - Bagasse Trader (i) Name of the Trader:
Kothari sugars and chemicals Ltd

(ii) Contact details: Sathamangalam village,
Vettriyur post, Ariyalur district – 621707.
2. Lemon Citrus limon Fruit Trader (i) Name of the trader:
Sigma Aldrich.

(ii) Contact details:
No.12,
Bommasandra Jigani
Link Rd, Bommasandra
Industrial Area,
Bengaluru,
Bommasandra,
Karnataka-560099.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention generally relates to a processof synthesis of carbon quantum dots. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse and product thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

The carbon quantum dots (CQDs) is an amorphous or nanocrystalline, zero-dimensional, hemispherical allotrope of carbon with extremely small particle sizes (about 2–5 nm) containing sp2 and sp3 hybrid carbon atoms. They have earned great attention because of their wide range of applications such as medical diagnosis, photocatalysis, fluorescent sensing, optoelectronic devices, cellular labeling, and bioimaging due to their multicolor optical properties, excellent water solubility, high chemical stability, low toxicity, and outstanding biocompatibility.

The synthesis method of carbon quantum dots can be roughly divided intotop-down and bottom-up method. The top-down approach used to generate the CQDs: It includes laser ablation, arc discharge, electrochemical and chemical oxidation, ultrasonic synthesis, and a bottom-up approach (bottom-up): synthesis techniques known as microwave synthesis, thermal and plasma degradation, and the hydrothermal method.

There are reports available in the state of art relating to method of synthesis of carbon quantum dots.

US9738827B1 discloses a method of preparing a carbon quantum dot. The carbon quantum dot can be prepared from a carbon precursor, such as a fullerene, and a complex metal hydride. The present invention also discloses a carbon quantum dot made by reacting a carbon precursor with a complex metal hydride and a polymer containing a carbon quantum dot made by reacting a carbon precursor with a complex metal hydride.

US20180312752A1 discloses methods for producing the CQDs. The method includes the steps of, (a) reacting CQD precursors and a liquid medium at a temperature no more than 100° C. for a first period of time; and (b) adding a monosaccharide to the reaction mixture of the step (a) and allowing the reaction to proceed for a second period of time to produce the CQDs. The CQDs thus produced are about 1-5 nm in size, and pH sensitive, thus may emit blue light at acidic condition and yellow light at alkaline condition.

US8357507B2 discloses the water soluble self-fluorescent quantum carbon dots (C-dots). These C-dots are isolated from carbon soot in one embodiment a wax soot solvent washed and isolated from other larger material by filtration such as by membrane filtration. The C-dots can be varied in their color by change of their size and by the amount of oxidative groups' position on each C-dot.

Though, conventional methods for synthesizing carbon quantum dots exhibits advantages in the prior arts they do have disadvantages such as expensive raw materials, complex operation processes, high costs, or severe synthetic conditions. Additionally, dangerous chemicals and harsh acidic processes are needed to produce these items, which raises concerns for environmental and public health.

The processes also require high-temperature, high-pressure equipment, which increases their energy requirements and complexity while often resulting in low yields and restricting their scalability.

Thus, there exists a need in the state of art for developing an alternative method for synthesizing carbon quantum dots.

Hence an attempt has been made to develop an environmental friendly, simple, cost effective, sustainable and less time consuming method of synthesis of carbon quantum dots overcoming the above said drawbacks.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

The main object of the present invention is to develop a process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse.

Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an environmental friendly, simple, cost effective, sustainable and less time consuming method of synthesis of carbon quantum dotsfrom sugarcane bagasse.

Yet another object of the present invention is to synthesize carbon quantum dots employing citric acid, milli Q water and sugarcane bagasse powder.

Further object of the present invention is to utilize the synthesized carbon quantum dots in various medical applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

Figure 1 depictsa flowchart representing process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots of the present invention.

Figure 2 depicts the UV-visible spectrum of carbon quantum dots of the present invention.

Figure 3 depicts High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) analysis of carbon quantum dots.
(a) scale bar of 5nm.
(b) scale bar of 2nm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention discloses a process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse. The process of the present invention comprises of following steps;
a. dissolving citric acid in milli Q water followed by adding sugarcane bagasse powder to form a solution;
b. subjecting the solution to microwave Pyrolysis followed by filtration and dialysis to obtain carbon quantum dots.
The present invention also discloses a carbon quantum dots prepared by the process as described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention discloses a process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse and product thereof.

This innovative strategy epitomizes the concept of "waste to wealth" by transforming bagasse, conventionally deemed as waste, into a valuable precursor for the production of Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs). The breakthrough introduces a technique for synthesizing CQDs through microwave pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse, a readily available agricultural and industrial byproduct, in combination with citric acid.

The process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse comprises of dissolving citric acid in milli Q water followed by adding sugarcane bagasse powder to form a solution. Then, the solution is subjecting to microwave Pyrolysis followed by filtration and dialysis to obtain carbon quantum dots.

The microwave pyrolysis technique for CQD production, as outlined, offers a distinctive array of advantages and innovations. These include cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, sustainability, less number of additives and steps, less time consuming and a reliance on renewable resources. Such attributes render the method not only economically appealing but also in harmony with the increasing global focus on sustainability and eco-conscious manufacturing practices. Moreover, its dependency on the renewability of sugarcane ensures a steady and uninterrupted supply of bagasse, thereby serving as a valuable asset for consistent CQD production.

The mass production of Carbon Quantum Dots utilizing microwave pyrolysis technology presents a straightforward and highly adaptable process ideal for various biomedical applications. The capacity to precisely adjust their properties and functionalize them for specific purposes positions them as a promising tool for future medical advancements.

The prepared Carbon quantum dots of the present invention were then subjected to characterization by UV-visible spectrophotometer analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) analysis.

From the UV- Visible spectra, the excitation for the synthesized Carbon quantum dots were observed at 245 nm p?p^* transition confirm the presence of CQD (Figure 2). After ultrasonication, the HRTEM images of carbon quantum dots reveal that the particles are homogeneous in size, monodisperse, and spherical in shape. The average diameter of the carbon quantum dots were in the range of 3 - 7 nm (Figure 3).

Advantages:
• The process of the present invention is quicker and simpler, which reduces complexity and energy usage.
• The process of the present invention is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, sustainable, less number of additives and steps, less time consuming.
• Its dependency on the renewability of sugarcane ensures a steady and uninterrupted supply of bagasse, thereby serving as a valuable asset for consistent CQD production.
• The Carbon Quantum Dots of the present invention is used in various biomedical applications.

In one of the preferred embodiments, the present invention shall disclosea process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse. The process of the present invention comprises of following steps;

a. dissolving citric acid in milli Q water followed by adding sugarcane bagasse powder to form a solution;
b. subjecting the solution to microwave Pyrolysis followed by filtration and dialysis to obtain carbon quantum dots.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention shall disclose a carbon quantum dot prepared by the process as described above.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention shall disclosea process ofsynthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse. The process of the present invention comprises of following steps;

a. dissolving 1gm of citric acid in 70mL milli Q water followed by adding 5 g of sugarcane bagasse powder to form a solution;
b. subjecting the solution to microwave Pyrolysis at 750 watts for 30minutes followed by filtration and dialysis for 2 days to obtain carbon quantum dots.

In further preferred embodiment, the present invention shall disclose a carbon quantum dot prepared by the process as described above.

Working example:

A process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse.

A carbon quantum dots were prepared by dissolving 1gm of citric acid in 70mL milli Q water followed by adding 5 g of sugarcane bagasse powder to form a solution. The solution was then subjected to microwave Pyrolysis at 750 watts for 30minutes followed by filtration and dialysis for 2 days to obtain carbon quantum dots.

Although the invention has now been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments and exemplified with respect thereto, one skilled in art can readily appreciate that various modifications, changes, omissions and substitutions may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse comprises of following steps;
a. dissolving citric acid inmilli Q water followed by adding sugarcane bagasse powder to form a solution;
b. subjecting the said solution to microwave Pyrolysis followed by filtration and dialysis to obtain carbon quantum dots.

2. A carbon quantum dots prepared by the process as claimed in claim 1.

3. A process of synthesis of carbon quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse comprises of following steps;
a. dissolving 1gm of citric acid in 70mL milli Q water followed by adding 5 g of sugarcane bagasse powder to form a solution;
b. subjecting the said solution to microwave Pyrolysis at 750 watts for 30minutes followed by filtration and dialysis for 2 days to obtain carbon quantum dots.

4. A carbon quantum dots prepared by the process as claimed in claim 3.

Dated this 27th day of APR 2024

For KOTHARI SUGARS AND CHEMICALS LTD
By its Patent Agent

Dr.B.Deepa
IN/PA 1477