This study reports the synthesis and characterization of a supramolecular composite comprised of carbon dots (CDots) embedded within net-poly[(α-cyclodextrin)-ν-(citric acid)] (α-CD/CA/CDots) for the removal and detection of toluene and xylene from aqueous media. The remarkable stability of CDots within the composite enables the preservation of photoluminescence properties for prolonged storage and extended UV-light irradiation. As demonstrated, following the adsorption of both organic compounds, the composite detected them in the aqueous medium due to a fluorescence quenching mechanism. Spectroscopic analyses reveal that the accessible Stern–Volmer quenching constants for toluene and xylene are K = 15.4 M and K = 10.3 M, respectively. As a result, the α-CD/CA/CDots composite were sensitive to the tested volatile organic compounds (LOD = 3.7 mg/L and LOD = 4.9 mg/L). Optimal conditions for toluene and xylene adsorption were found, allowing to achieve noticeable adsorption capabilities ( = 68.9 and = 48.2 mg/g) and removal efficiencies exceeding 70%. Different characterization techniques confirmed the successful synthesis of the composite and elucidated the interaction mechanisms between the adsorbent and the tested compounds. In summary, the multifunctionality demonstrated by the α-CD/CA/CDots composite ranks it as an efficient and promising adsorbent and detection probe for this class of water contaminants.

中文翻译：

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用于高效去除和检测水介质中甲苯和二甲苯的荧光聚（α-环糊精）/碳量子点复合材料的合成和表征

本研究报道了一种超分子复合材料的合成和表征，该复合材料由嵌入净聚[(α-环糊精)-ν-(柠檬酸)](α-CD/CA/CDots)中的碳点(CDots)组成，用于去除和表征检测水介质中的甲苯和二甲苯。复合材料中 CDot 的卓越稳定性使得能够保持光致发光特性，从而实现长期储存和紫外线照射。正如所证明的，在两种有机化合物吸附之后，由于荧光猝灭机制，复合材料在水介质中检测到它们。光谱分析表明，甲苯和二甲苯的可用 Stern-Volmer 猝灭常数分别为 K = 15.4 M 和 K = 10.3 M。因此，α-CD/CA/CDots 复合材料对测试的挥发性有机化合物敏感（LOD = 3.7 mg/L 和 LOD = 4.9 mg/L）。找到了甲苯和二甲苯吸附的最佳条件，可实现显着的吸附能力（= 68.9 和= 48.2 mg/g），去除效率超过 70%。不同的表征技术证实了复合材料的成功合成，并阐明了吸附剂和测试化合物之间的相互作用机制。总之，α-CD/CA/CDots 复合材料所表现出的多功能性使其成为此类水污染物的有效且有前途的吸附剂和检测探针。