A rapid, green and cost-effective synthesis of pH- and hydroxyl group sensitive carbon dots for sensing applications†

IF 5.1 2区 材料科学 Q2 MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Daniela Kujawa, Maciej Ptak and Paweł Głuchowski
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Abstract

A rapid, green, and cost-effective method for synthesizing carbon dots (CDs) was developed using non-toxic, low-cost precursors via a simple combustion process. The resulting CDs exhibit strong and tunable photoluminescence, high photostability, and excellent dispersibility in aqueous media. Structural and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the presence of a partially crystalline graphene-like carbon core surrounded by polymeric surface functionalities. The synthesized CDs display dual environmental sensitivity: continuous emission shifts were observed across a broad pH range (1–14), as well as distinct spectral responses depending on the presence and nature of hydroxyl groups in organic solvents. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy revealed dynamic surface interactions and structural transformations during solvent evaporation, particularly in methanol and ethanol. Methanol induces faster changes in the IR spectrum than ethanol. UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy demonstrated that the emission wavelength and intensity of the CDs vary significantly depending on solvent polarity, hydroxyl group content, and carbon chain length. In aqueous media, increasing pH induced a blue shift and enhanced emission intensity, while in alcohols, red shifts were observed. The unique sensitivity of the CDs to both pH and hydroxyl-rich environments highlights their potential utility as label-free, real-time sensors. Given their biocompatibility, photostability, and solvent-responsiveness, the synthesized CDs offer promising applications in biomedical diagnostics, food safety (e.g., methanol detection), and environmental monitoring. The study demonstrates how a sustainable and scalable synthetic route can yield multifunctional carbon-based nanomaterials with advanced sensory properties.

Abstract Image

快速,绿色和具有成本效益的合成pH-和羟基敏感碳点传感应用†
利用无毒、低成本的前驱体,通过简单的燃烧过程,开发了一种快速、绿色、经济的碳点合成方法。所制得的CDs具有强而可调的光致发光、高光稳定性和优异的水介质分散性。结构和光谱分析证实了部分结晶的石墨烯样碳核的存在,该碳核被聚合物表面官能团包围。合成的CDs具有双重环境敏感性:在较宽的pH范围内(1-14)观察到连续的发射位移,以及根据有机溶剂中羟基的存在和性质而产生的不同光谱响应。红外光谱揭示了溶剂蒸发过程中的动态表面相互作用和结构转变,特别是在甲醇和乙醇中。甲醇引起的红外光谱变化比乙醇快。紫外可见吸收光谱和光致发光光谱表明,CDs的发射波长和强度随溶剂极性、羟基含量和碳链长度的不同而发生显著变化。在水介质中,pH值的增加引起蓝移和发射强度的增强,而在醇中,观察到红移。cd对pH值和富含羟基的环境的独特敏感性突出了它们作为无标签实时传感器的潜在用途。鉴于它们的生物相容性、光稳定性和溶剂响应性,合成的CDs在生物医学诊断、食品安全(如甲醇检测)和环境监测方面具有很好的应用前景。该研究展示了可持续和可扩展的合成路线如何产生具有先进感官特性的多功能碳基纳米材料。
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来源期刊
Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Journal of Materials Chemistry C MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-PHYSICS, APPLIED
CiteScore
10.80
自引率
6.20%
发文量
1468
期刊介绍: The Journal of Materials Chemistry is divided into three distinct sections, A, B, and C, each catering to specific applications of the materials under study: Journal of Materials Chemistry A focuses primarily on materials intended for applications in energy and sustainability. Journal of Materials Chemistry B specializes in materials designed for applications in biology and medicine. Journal of Materials Chemistry C is dedicated to materials suitable for applications in optical, magnetic, and electronic devices. Example topic areas within the scope of Journal of Materials Chemistry C are listed below. This list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. Bioelectronics Conductors Detectors Dielectrics Displays Ferroelectrics Lasers LEDs Lighting Liquid crystals Memory Metamaterials Multiferroics Photonics Photovoltaics Semiconductors Sensors Single molecule conductors Spintronics Superconductors Thermoelectrics Topological insulators Transistors
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