Three-minute synthesis of sp³nanocrystalline carbon dots as non-toxic fluorescent platforms for intracellular delivery

Abstract

A one-pot, three-minute, gram-scale synthesis of novel sp-nanocrystalline, water-soluble, and fluorescent carbon dots (FCDs), from simple and cheap sugar starting materials is described. Mechanism studies showed that NH-FCD formation proceeds via a crucial imine intermediate derived from reaction between a sugar hemiacetal and an amine. Moreover, we successfully demonstrate the utility of lactose functionalized FCDots (Lac-FCDots) as non-toxic fluorescent intracellular delivery vehicles.

Fluorescent carbon dots from mono- and polysaccharides: synthesis, properties and applications

“…More recently, Galan et al reported the 3 min one-step synthesis of blue-emitting CDs from glucosamine hydrochloride in the presence of TTDDA using microwave irradiation with QYs of up to 17% (Scheme 16) [46]. While most reported syntheses afford CDs with sp 2 crystalline or amorphous cores, the team showed that the resultant nanoparticles had an sp 3 nanocrystalline core, as determined by HRTEM and Raman spectroscopy.…”

Photosynthesis and crop productivity is enhanced by glucose-functionalized fluorescent carbon dots

“…HCl and 4,7,10-Trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine following a modified reported procedure. 11,14 Glucosefunctionalization of the CDs was carried out in a two-step process by reaction of core-CDs with succinic anhydride to yield carboxylic acid bearing CDs, followed by N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)-mediated conjugation of 1-aminoglucose to generate glucose-functionalized CDs (glucose-CDs) (Scheme S1, Figures S1-S6). CDs uptake in plants.…”

“…Core CDs were synthesized following a modified procedure from our group. 11,14 The glucose functionalized CDs were prepared via a two-step procedure starting from core-CDs. In brief, treatment of core-CDs with succinic anhydride to generate acid-coated CDs, followed by amide conjugation with 1-amino glucose gave after purification through a 200 nm syringe filter and sizeexclusion chromatography (Sephadex G-10, Sigma Aldrich) the functionalized CDs (See ESI for full experimental details).…”

“…[8][9][10][11] Our team and others have previously demonstrated that glycansurface functionalization of NPs mitigates acute toxicity and enhances internalization in mammalian cells. [11][12][13][14][15] Herein we report the first example of glycan-functionalized CDs used to significantly increase grain yields of elite bread wheat by 18%. Our mechanistic investigations reveal that CDphotosynthetic interactions affects many facets of photosynthesis, and that glycanfunctionalization of CDs is essential to realize improved yields by altering NPQ and pigment production whilst also reducing reactive oxygen species generation.…”

Hydrochromic carbon dots as smart sensors for water sensing in organic solvents

“…[32][33][34][43][44][45][46] Nevertheless, few studies report the systematic optimization of such carbon dots developed through carbonization. 43,[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57] Additionally, signicant research reports have shown the solvent-dependent emission of carbon dots. [58][59][60] However, their hydrochromic properties are rarely discussed and for this reason, it is not known if some of these carbon dots also possess hydrochromic characteristics.…”