Photoluminescent Carbon Dots from 1,4‐Addition Polymers

Abstract

Photoluminescent carbon dots were synthesised directly by thermopyrolysis of 1,4-addition polymers, allowing precise control of their properties. The effect of polymer composition on the properties of the carbon dots was investigated by TEM, IR, XPS, elemental analysis and fluorescence analysis, with carbon dots synthesised from nitrogen-containing polymers showing the highest fluorescence. The carbon dots with high nitrogen content were observed to have strong fluorescence in the visible region, and culture with cells showed that the carbon dots were non-cytotoxic and readily taken up by three different cell lines.

Scale‐Up Synthesis of Fragrant Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Dots from Bee Pollens for Bioimaging and Catalysis

“…Electrons trapped by the newly formed surface states arising from nitrogen doping will facilitate a high yield of radiative recombination, resulting in higher fluorescence QY. [[qv: 6g]] More than that, there are researches finding that a greater nitrogen content in CDs leading to larger emission,12 which is in agreement with the present study.…”

Carbon Based Dots and Their Luminescent Properties and Analytical Applications

“…For example, the PL intensities of most reported CDs were relatively strong in neutral solutions, while the PL intensities decreased in strong acidic or/and strong alkaline solutions [44, 45, 54, 59, 63, 67, 87-89, 91, 93, 97, 101, 108, 120, 125, 159, 170, 172, 194]. The PL intensities of some other CDs were nearly independent on the pH value [83,128,133,169]. Then, it can be noticed that CDs synthesized by different methods may have different pH-responses t. Presently, it is difficult to explain definitely the effecting mechanisms of pH value on the PL properties of most CDs, due to the fact that the exact PL mechanisms of CDs are still open questions.…”

Broad Family of Carbon Nanoallotropes: Classification, Chemistry, and Applications of Fullerenes, Carbon Dots, Nanotubes, Graphene, Nanodiamonds, and Combined Superstructures

“…Similar electrochemical processes have been exploited to prepare C-dots using graphite electrodes 24,25 or MWNTs 26 as the carbon source. Other methods for preparing C-dots are based on the thermal decomposition or carbonization of organic compounds in highboiling solvents, 40,41,134,135 "water in oil" emulsions 28,136 or powders, 31,32,41,49,137−139 the pyrolysis of polymer−silica nanocomposites, 33 ultrasonic carbonization, 29,38 or the hydrothermal, 27,50,140− 147 solvothermal, 39,41,148 or microwave 34−37,149−153 treatment of carbohydrates, polymers, organic compounds, organosilanes or natural products. The hydrothermal and microwave techniques are the most widely used methods for preparing C-dots and were described at length in a review paper by Yang et al 154 C-dots have also been isolated from soot generated during the combustion of candles or natural gases.…”