Abstract
Galactose (Gal), lactose (Lac), and glucose (Glu) derived carbon dots (CDs) were evaluated for their utility as electrochemical sensing composites using acetaminophen (APAP) as a probe molecule. The goal of this work is to ascertain the role of graphene defects on electrochemical activity. Higher sp2‐to‐sp3 hybridized carbon ratios (in parentheses) in the CDs correlated with higher sensitivity in the order according to measured Raman IG/ID intensities: GluCDs (6.53)<LacCDs (9.30)<GalCDs (10.18). A dynamic measurement in the 0–2.0 mmol dm−3 APAP range at pH=7.0 was achieved, suitable for practical APAP toxicity monitoring. Defect density within the GalCDs provided the highest sensitivity.
