Carbon dots show potential in lighting and displays. However, only their fluorescence has been observed so far. Here we report the observation of phosphorescence from carbon dots in a polyvinyl alcohol matrix. The phosphorescence is attributed to C=O bonds on the surface of carbon dots and has a very long lifetime (~380 ms).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a key role in therapeutic effects as well as side effects of platinum drugs. Cisplatin mediates activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX), which triggers oxygen (O) to superoxide radical (O) and its downstream HO. Through the Fenton's reaction, HO could be catalyzed by Fe/Fe to the toxic hydroxyl radicals (OH), which cause oxidative damages to lipids, proteins, and DNA. By taking the full advantage of Fenton's chemistry, we herein demonstrated tumor site-specific conversion of ROS generation induced by released cisplatin and Fe/Fe from iron-oxide nanocarriers with cisplatin(IV) prodrugs for enhanced anticancer activity but minimized systemic toxicity.

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