Synthesis and Characterization of CQDs Obtained from Carbon Soot of Almond Oil and Its Hierarchical Arrangement in 6CHBT LC Media: Role of Functionalization

We synthesized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from carbon soot of almond oil deposited on a copper metal surface. We functionalized CQDs using 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMTD) and explored the integration of functionalized CQDs in 6CHBT LC media. Our primary objective was to investigate the effect of functionalized CQDs on the organizational behavior and optoelectronic properties of the hybrid systems. We calculated the electronic properties such as the bandgap of the synthesized CQDs and functionalized CQDs using UV–Vis-NIR and Tauc’s plot curves. The formation and morphology of the self-assembled structures of the Ag NPs were confirmed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. SERS and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to explore the nanoscale hierarchical structures composed of CQDs owing to their self-assembly in the presence of 6CHBT molecules. We highlighted the role of surface plasmons by characterizing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Elemental analysis of the sample through EDAX analysis and mass decomposition through TGA analysis were carried out. Thermal analysis of the phase transition was also highlighted in the DSC analysis.