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Polymerization‐Driven Photoluminescence in Alkanolamine‐Based C‐Dots
Author(s) -
Ludmerczki Robert,
Malfatti Luca,
Stagi Luigi,
Meloni Manuela,
Carbonaro Carlo Maria,
Casula Maria Francesca,
Bogdán Dóra,
Mura Stefania,
Mándity István M.,
Innocenzi Plinio
Publication year - 2021
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.202004465
Subject(s) - photoluminescence , materials science , quantum dot , raman spectroscopy , polymerization , quantum yield , photochemistry , polymer , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , chemistry , fluorescence , optoelectronics , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics , optics , composite material
Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs), a peculiar type of carbon dots, show extremely high quantum yields, making them very attractive nanostructures for application in optics and biophotonics. The origin of the strong photoluminescence of CPDs resides in a complicated interplay of several radiative mechanisms. To understand the correlation between CPD processing and properties, the early stage formation of carbonized polymer dots has been studied. In the synthesis, citric acid monohydrate and 2‐amino‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)propane‐1,3‐diol have been thermally degraded at 180 °C. The use of an oil bath instead of a more traditional hydrothermal reactor has allowed the CPD properties to be monitored at different reactions times. Transmission electron microscopy, time‐resolved photoluminescence, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy have revealed the formation of polymeric species with amide and ester bonds. Quantum chemistry calculations have been employed to investigate the origin of CPD electronic transitions. At short reaction times, amorphous C‐dots with 80 % quantum yield, have been obtained.