One-step synthesis of fluorescence-enhanced carbon dots for Fe (III) on−off−on sensing, bioimaging and light-emitting devices

Abstract

Carbon quantum dots (CDs), as one of the most potential fluorescent sensing materials, have attracted lots of attention in recent years. However, the low quantum yields, complicated separation and purification procedures have limited its application and large-scale production. In this paper, a facile and universal method was successfully developed to synthesize CDs-silica (SiO2) spheres composites (CS composites), which not only demonstrates 10-fold fluorescence enhancement compared with single CDs but also enables the purification with a simple centrifugation step. Meanwhile, fabricated composites also presented superior photoluminescence (PL) stability and high PL intensity, even in some tough environments such as acid/alkali aqueous solution, high/low temperature, and high ion concentration aqueous solution. This simple, fast, low-cost, and efficient synthesis method would potentially expand the application of CDs for clinical analysis, optical sensing (ferric ion (Fe3+) and pyrophosphate), bioimaging and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Color Conversion Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Carbon Dots: A Review

“…Using citric acid and EDA as precursors, the absolute fluorescence QY values of CDs and CS composites prepared by hydrothermal method are 4.57% and 40.1%, respectively. Therefore, there is a 10-fold enhancement both in luminescence intensity and in QY [ 141 ].…”

Recent Advances in Carbon Nanodots: A Promising Nanomaterial for Biomedical Applications

“…The low cytotoxicity of CNDs as compared to SQDs allows their use in bioimaging in vitro and vivo, which opens many possibilities in nanomedicine [3,[76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87]. With their high quantum yield and excitation-dependent emission, CNDs can be used for multicolor imaging in specific cells or organs.…”

Facile Synthesis of Multifunctional Carbon Dots Derived from Camel Milk for Mn7+ Sensing and Antiamyloid and Anticancer Activities

“…Owing to its unique photoluminescence (PL) properties, CDs have attained remarkable attention for a wide range of biomedical applications . Moreover, they also possess excellent physical and chemical properties, including good aqueous solubility, flexibility for functionalization, inertness, biocompatibility, optical stability, and low toxicity. − Fluorescent CDs have been employed in various applications such as photocatalysis, cellular imaging, diagnostics, therapeutics, sensors and biosensors, and as a selective probe for detecting organic and inorganic molecules. − In particular, for sensing applications, CDs have been reported to be very sensitive and selective for the detection of metal ions, which play an important role in the environmental pollution and regulation of certain activities in biological systems. − …”