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Preparation and Characterization of the Fluorescent Carbon Dots Derived from the Lithium‐Intercalated Graphite used for Cell Imaging
Author(s) -
Zhu Xiaohua,
Wang Haiying,
Jiao Qifang,
Xiao Xin,
Zuo Xiaoxi,
Liang Yong,
Nan Junmin,
Wang Jufang,
Wang Lishi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.201300327
Subject(s) - lithium (medication) , reagent , fluorescence , exfoliation joint , graphite , materials science , photobleaching , carbon fibers , suspension (topology) , surface modification , quantum dot , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , graphene , medicine , physics , mathematics , composite material , quantum mechanics , homotopy , composite number , pure mathematics , engineering , endocrinology
Zero‐dimensional fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) that are used as a cell‐imaging reagent are prepared by using a simple and effective route employing lithium‐intercalated graphite from lithium‐ion batteries as a carbon source. Under ultrasonic exfoliation, the interlayer space increases, while the layer distortion and remaining lithium of the lithium‐intercalated graphite are utilized to disrupt the graphitic structure and produce the CD suspension. Subsequently, after concentration and purification, the obtained colloidal CD suspension has a fluorescent yield of up to 1.2% and is therefore comparable to the CDs prepared in previous reports. These CD products are water‐soluble, nanosized (approximately 3.5 nm), and biocompatible and can easily enter into HeLa cells to act as a cell‐imaging reagent without any further functionalization. In addition, these CDs do not impose toxicity against HeLa cells and have high photostability with low photobleaching and demonstrate potential applications for bio‐labeling as well as solution state optoelectronics.