Synthesis of carbon quantum dots based on hemp leaves and cysteamine for latent fingerprint detection and their potential therapeutic anticancer application

Abstract In this study, an eco-friendly one-pot hydrothermal method was used to synthesize carbon quantum dots (CQDs) using hemp leaves and cysteamine hydrochloride as the carbon and nitrogen-sulfur sources, respectively. Synthesized carbon quantum dots (HC-CQDs) were developed to achieve the clear detection of latent fingerprints (LFPs) on non-porous materials under UV-light, and their nontoxicity to humans was verified by testing on cancer cells. HC-CQDs characterized by various techniques exhibited a high quantum yield of 36.1%, and their excitation and emission