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Synthesis of Carbon Dots with Multiple Color Emission by Controlled Graphitization and Surface Functionalization
Author(s) -
Miao Xiang,
Qu Dan,
Yang Dongxue,
Nie Bing,
Zhao Yikang,
Fan Hongyou,
Sun Zaicheng
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201704740
Subject(s) - materials science , photoluminescence , surface modification , carbon fibers , optoelectronics , pyrolysis , citric acid , luminescence , light emission , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , photochemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , composite number , chemistry , engineering
Multiple‐color‐emissive carbon dots (CDots) have potential applications in various fields such as bioimaging, light‐emitting devices, and photocatalysis. The majority of the current CDots to date exhibit excitation‐wavelength‐dependent emissions with their maximum emission limited at the blue‐light region. Here, a synthesis of multiple‐color‐emission CDots by controlled graphitization and surface function is reported. The CDots are synthesized through controlled thermal pyrolysis of citric acid and urea. By regulating the thermal‐pyrolysis temperature and ratio of reactants, the maximum emission of the resulting CDots gradually shifts from blue to red light, covering the entire light spectrum. Specifically, the emission position of the CDots can be tuned from 430 to 630 nm through controlling the extent of graphitization and the amount of surface functional groups, COOH. The relative photoluminescence quantum yields of the CDots with blue, green, and red emission reach up to 52.6%, 35.1%, and 12.9%, respectively. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the CDots can be uniformly dispersed into epoxy resins and be fabricated as transparent CDots/epoxy composites for multiple‐color‐ and white‐light‐emitting devices. This research opens a door for developing low‐cost CDots as alternative phosphors for light‐emitting devices.