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One‐Step Synthesis of Boron Nitride Quantum Dots: Simple Chemistry Meets Delicate Nanotechnology
Author(s) -
Liu Bingping,
Yan Shihai,
Song Zhongqian,
Liu Mengli,
Ji Xuqiang,
Yang Wenrong,
Liu Jingquan
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.201603935
Subject(s) - boron nitride , quantum dot , aqueous solution , photoluminescence , nanotechnology , boric acid , fluorescence , chemistry , ferrous , boron , ferric , nanoparticle , materials science , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Abstract Herein, a conceptually new and straightforward aqueous route is described for the synthesis of hydroxyl‐ and amino‐functionalized boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) with quantum yields (QY) as high as 18.3 % by using a facile bottom‐up approach, in which a mixture of boric acid and ammonia solution was hydrothermally treated in one pot at 200 °C for 12 h. The functionalized BNQDs, with excellent photoluminescence properties, could be easily dispersed in an aqueous medium and applied as fluorescent probes for the detection of ferrous (Fe 2+ ) and ferric (Fe 3+ ) ions with excellent selectivity and low detection limits. The mechanisms for the hydrothermal reaction and fluorescence quenching were also simulated by using density functional theory (DFT), which confirmed the feasibility and advantages of this strategy. It provides a scalable and eco‐friendly method for preparation of BNQDs with good dispersability and could also be generalized to the synthesis of other 2D quantum dots and nanoplates.