Waste-to-potential plant nutrition: Green synthesis of heteroatom-doped CQDs from pyrolytic wood vinegar and their molecular interaction studies as potential nano-fertilizers

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dc.contributor.authorElibol, Pinar Sevim
dc.contributor.authorDemirci, Tuna
dc.contributor.authorElibol, Erdem
dc.contributor.authorGunaydin, Zehra
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-01T11:40:01Z
dc.date.available2026-07-01T11:40:01Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.departmentDüzce Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractThis study converts tar, a waste from wood vinegar purification (a charcoal production byproduct), into heteroatom-doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Using an optimized microwave-assisted method (pH 10, 750 W, 10 min), the high-carbon tar was successfully transformed into CQDs, which were further doped with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to form N-CQDs and P-CQDs. Characterization showed N doping significantly increased the photoluminescence quantum yield from 38.2% to 63.4%. To assess their potential as nano-fertilizers, density functional theory and molecular docking studies were performed. P-CQDs exhibited a higher binding affinity for TIR1 ubiquitin ligase (-11.8 kcal/mol) than pure CQDs (-11.4 kcal/mol), whereas N-CQDs showed a characteristically, lower-affinity mode (-9.4 kcal/mol). Furthermore, CQDs are bound with high affinity to the nitrate transporter NRT1.1 and phosphate transporter PHT1;4, suggesting they can modulate transporter function via an ion bridge mechanism. Furthermore, an in vitro wheat seedling bioassay was conducted to physically validate the agronomic potential and ecological safety of the synthesized nanomaterials. The empirical results revealed a distinct dose-dependent hormetic response, identifying 50 mg/L for N-CQDs and 25 mg/L for P-CQDs as optimal biostimulant concentrations that significantly enhanced root and shoot elongation. Conversely, acute phytotoxicity and metabolic collapse were observed at elevated doses (100 mg/L P-CQDs), underscoring the critical necessity of precise dose management to ensure biosafety in nano-agricultural applications. These findings demonstrate that waste-derived, heteroatom-doped CQDs are promising, environmentally friendly nano-fertilizer candidates, enabling targeted nutrient release and plant growth regulation.
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.jece.2026.122856
dc.identifier.issn2213-2929
dc.identifier.issn2213-3437
dc.identifier.issue3
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105036875901
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.122856
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12684/23587
dc.identifier.volume14
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001759340700001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier Sci Ltd
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260623
dc.subject[Keyword Not Available]
dc.titleWaste-to-potential plant nutrition: Green synthesis of heteroatom-doped CQDs from pyrolytic wood vinegar and their molecular interaction studies as potential nano-fertilizers
dc.typeArticle

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