Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Title

Gel-like Carbon Dots: Characterization and their Potential Applications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-19-2017

Publication Title

ChemPhysChem

Keywords

Carbon dots, Gels, Invisible inks, Photoluminescence, Quantum dots

ISSN

1439-4235

Volume

18

Issue/No.

8

First Page

890

Last Page

897

Abstract

Highly photoluminescent gel-like carbon dots (G-CDs) were successfully synthesized for the first time by a rapid one-step solvothermal synthesis approach with citric acid and 1,2-ethylenediamine as the precursors. Their gel-like nature was revealed by the Tyndall and coagulation effects, which were elucidated by a negative ζ potential value. The influences of temperature on the properties and sizes of these G-CDs were analyzed, and the best method for a maximum quantum yield was identified. The resulting products emitted blue photoluminescence under UV light (λ=365 nm) and a gradient of color under regular light. In addition, the UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the G-CDs indicated that those synthesized at 160 °C exhibited the highest fluorescence quantum yield (33 %). Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements were performed, and a higher temperature of formation resulted in smaller G-CDs. Furthermore, band shifts in the UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra and sequential changes in the quantum yield values and ζ potentials in addition to elemental compositional changes as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were monitored throughout the formation process of the G-CDs. As to applications, G-CDs were prepared as an invisible ink for printers, which exhibited the applicability of G-CDs in daily life and military activities.

Comments

©2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

DOI

10.1002/cphc.201700038

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Peer Reviewed

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