Issue 40, 2014

Multifunctional water-soluble luminescent carbon dots for imaging and Hg2+ sensing

Abstract

We propose an ingenious method for large-scale fabrication of water-soluble photoluminescent carbon dots (CDs) by a one-step microwave route in the presence of citric acid and ethylenediamine. In contrast to other CDs-based nanomaterials, the CDs prepared exhibit a highly fluorescent quantum yield (QY) and excellent stability in both organic and inorganic phases. After simple post-treatment, the CDs can be used as a new type of fluorescent ink for information storage and nanofiber electrospinning. It should be noted that the CDs are a superior fluorescent bioimaging agent in cells, plants and animals according to their excellent solubility and ultra-low toxicity. In addition, the CDs could be utilized as a modification-free biosensor reagent capable of detecting Hg2+ in complex environments. More significantly, environmental friendly “skillful pens” were fabricated that provided an effective platform for portable qualitative-detection of Hg2+.

Graphical abstract: Multifunctional water-soluble luminescent carbon dots for imaging and Hg2+ sensing

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 6 2014
Accepted
18 8 2014
First published
18 8 2014

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014,2, 6995-6999

Author version available

Multifunctional water-soluble luminescent carbon dots for imaging and Hg2+ sensing

Y. Zhai, Z. Zhu, C. Zhu, J. Ren, E. Wang and S. Dong, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2, 6995 DOI: 10.1039/C4TB01035C

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