Issue 65, 2018

Dramatic photoluminescence quenching in carbon dots induced by cyclic voltammetry

Abstract

This study focuses on the structural rearrangements and the photoluminescent behavior of pyrolytically derived carbon dots when subjected to a series of cyclic voltammetry sweeps. Although the electrical signals involved are not pronounced, multiple electrochemical cycling results in a progressive suppression of the photoluminescence, so that after 42 sweeps the intensity is reduced by one order of magnitude. At the same time, the fluorescence component stemming from the organic fluorophores is blue-shifted, while the contribution of the carbogenic cores is red-shifted. XPS and FTIR spectra reveal that the voltammetric field induces an extensive formation of C–O and C[double bond, length as m-dash]O at the expense of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds. Our findings indicate a close relationship between the electrochemical response and the structure of C-dots and, thus, have direct implications on the development of C-dot based electroluminescent materials, electrochemical sensors and solar cells.

Graphical abstract: Dramatic photoluminescence quenching in carbon dots induced by cyclic voltammetry

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
04 May 2018
Accepted
19 Jul 2018
First published
21 Jul 2018

Chem. Commun., 2018,54, 9067-9070

Dramatic photoluminescence quenching in carbon dots induced by cyclic voltammetry

Y. Tian, L. Li, X. Guo, A. Wójtowicz, L. Estevez, M. J. Krysmann and A. Kelarakis, Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 9067 DOI: 10.1039/C8CC03617A

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