Singular wavelength dependence on the sensitization of lanthanides by graphene quantum dots

Abstract

In this manuscript, we study the sensitization of Tb³⁺ ions by the excited state of GQD. We found that Tb³⁺ cations can bind to GQDs and display photoluminescence. Excitation dependent experiments show that the Tb³⁺ emission is stronger at shorter excitation wavelengths, which is likely due to pseudo-isolated small aromatic moieties produced during the synthesis of the GQDs.