High-yield synthesis of biomass-derived carbon dots for enhanced taraxacum growth

Carbon dots (CDs) derived from biomass have emerged as promising nanomaterials for agricultural applications due to their biocompatibility, tunable properties, and sustainability. The objective of this study was to develop a high-yield, eco-friendly synthesis method for biomass-derived CDs and evaluate their multifunctional performance in agriculture. Herein, we report a high-yield synthesis strategy for biomass-derived CDs using chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, and artemisinin as precursors, achieving yields of up to 79.5 %. The synthesized CDs using chrysanthemum, acrylamide, and initiator as precursors exhibit excellent water retention capabilities in soil, with a 14 % improvement compared to control groups after 24h, and demonstrate significant reactive oxygen species scavenging activity, including hydroxyl (·OH) and superoxide (·O₂⁻) radicals. Specifically, the hydroxyl radical scavenging efficiency reaches 63.2 % at a concentration of 200 μg/mL, with an IC₅₀ value of 77 μg/mL, and the superoxide radical scavenging efficiency reaches nearly 50 % at 0.8 mg/mL. Furthermore, foliar application of these CDs promotes the growth of Taraxacum officinale, enhancing root, stem, and leaf lengths by 8.7 %, 110 %, and 116 %, respectively. This work provides a scalable and eco-friendly approach to synthesizing functional CDs for sustainable agriculture.