Issue 5, 2021

Surface engineered amphiphilic carbon dots: solvatochromic behavior and applicability as a molecular probe

Abstract

Carbon dots (C-dots) have attracted great attention in the fields of nanotechnology and bioengineering owing to their unique and tunable optical properties with excellent photoluminescence characteristics. Herein, we have engineered amphiphilic C-dots (AC-dots) using positional isomers of diamino benzene with citric acid under mild microwave irradiation to minimize any background reactions. The optical properties changed from excitation-dependent to excitation-independent depending on the isomer used. This unique optical property of the AC-dots was studied in the presence of various solvents and we extensively inspected the AC-dot–solvent interactions. The intensity of the emission wavelength varied with solvent polarity and showed a linear relationship. Furthermore, we extended this property to investigate the molecular environment in biomolecular systems such as proteins. Interestingly, we found that, in the presence of various proteins, the emission intensity was enhanced, quenched or remained unchanged depending on the nature of the protein surface. The mode of interaction between AC-dots and protein was determined using temperature-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy. This study could provide vital information about the surfaces of proteins and the potential application of C-Dots as a fluorescent probe to detect biological molecules and environments.

Graphical abstract: Surface engineered amphiphilic carbon dots: solvatochromic behavior and applicability as a molecular probe

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 ذو الحجة 1441
Accepted
15 جمادى الأولى 1442
First published
15 جمادى الأولى 1442

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021,9, 1432-1440

Surface engineered amphiphilic carbon dots: solvatochromic behavior and applicability as a molecular probe

S. Pandit, S. Mondal and M. De, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021, 9, 1432 DOI: 10.1039/D0TB02007A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements