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Study on the Ultrahigh Quantum Yield of Fluorescent P,O‐g‐C 3 N 4 Nanodots and its Application in Cell Imaging
Author(s) -
Rong Mingcong,
Cai Zhixiong,
Xie Lei,
Lin Chunshui,
Song Xinhong,
Luo Feng,
Wang Yiru,
Chen Xi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201601065
Subject(s) - nanodot , quantum yield , graphitic carbon nitride , fluorescence , materials science , nanotechnology , photochemistry , nuclear chemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemical engineering , chemistry , catalysis , photocatalysis , organic chemistry , optics , physics , engineering
Graphitic carbon nitride nanodots (g‐C 3 N 4 nanodots), as a new kind of heavy‐metal‐free quantum dots, have attracted considerable attention because of their unique physical and chemical properties. Although various methods to obtain g‐C 3 N 4 nanodots have been reported, it is still a challenge to synthesize g‐C 3 N 4 nanodots with ultrahigh fluorescence quantum yield (QY). In this study, highly fluorescent phosphorus/oxygen‐doped graphitic carbon nitride (P,O‐g‐C 3 N 4 ) nanodots were prepared by chemical oxidation and hydrothermal etching of bulk P‐g‐C 3 N 4 derived from the pyrolysis of phytic acid and melamine. The as‐prepared P,O‐g‐C 3 N 4 nanodots showed strong blue fluorescence and a relatively high QY of up to 90.2 %, which can be ascribed to intrinsic phosphorus/oxygen‐containing groups, and surface‐oxidation‐related fluorescence enhancement. In addition, the P,O‐g‐C 3 N 4 nanodots were explored for cell imaging with excellent stability and biocompatibility, which suggest that they have great potential in biological applications.