An innovative and green strategy to synthesize carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with a quantum yield (QY) of nearly 23.6% has been successfully established for the first time. Subsequently, the possible fluorescence (FL) mechanism was elucidated by Fluorescence, UV–Vis, TEM, DLS, EDX and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. Significantly, not only the precursor of CQDs and whole synthesis procedure was green, but also the CQDs obtained here exhibited various advantages including high fluorescent QY, excellent photostability, low toxicity and satisfactory stability. Additionally, the CQDs were employed for assaying Prilocaine based on direct interactions between Prilocaine and –COOH, –OH and –NH 2 of CQDs, resulting in aggregations that facilitate to quench their fluorescence. The decrease of fluorescence intensity permitted detections of Prilocaine in a linear range of 0.5-90 ng mL -1 , with a detection limit of 0.4 ng mL -1 , suggesting a promising assay for Prilocaine. Also the CQDs werw used for sensing Penicillamine by complexation with copper based on inner filter effect mechanism. The decrease of fluorescence intensity allowed detection of Penicillamine in a linear range of 0.05-13 µg mL -1 , with a detection limite of 0.02 µg mL -1 . The as-fabricated sensor was further extended for the determination of Prilocaine and Penicillamine in real samples. Eventually, the CDs were applied for cell imaging of bone marrow cells and Olfactory mucosa cells from rats to illustrating their potential in various applications with successfully results and demonstrating their potential towards diverse applications.
