Size Effect of Graphene Quantum Dots on Photoluminescence

High-photoluminescence (PL) graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal process, then separated by dialysis bags of different molecular weights. Four separated GQDs of varying sizes were obtained and displayed different PL intensities. With the decreasing size of separated GQDs, the intensity of the emission peak becomes much stronger. Finally, the GQDs of the smallest size revealed the most energetic PL intensity in four separated GQDs. The PL energy of all the separated GQDs shifted slightly, supported by density functional theory calculations.     

Unilamellar Vesicles from Amphiphilic Graphene Quantum Dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted considerable interest due to their unique physicochemical properties and various applications. For the first time it is shown that GQDs surface‐functionalized with hydrocarbon chains (i.e., amphiphilic GQDs) self‐assemble into unilamellar spherical vesicles in aqueous solution. The amphiphilic GQD vesicles exhibit multicolor luminescence that can be readily exploited for membrane studies by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. The GQD vesicles were used for microscopic analysis of membrane interactions and disruption by the peptide beta‐amyloid.     

A Supramolecular Polymer Network of Graphene Quantum Dots

Graphene quantum dot (GQD)–organic hybrid compounds (GQD‐ 2 b – e ) were prepared by introducing 3,4,5‐tri(hexadecyloxy)benzyl groups (C16) and linear chains terminated with a 2‐ureido‐4‐[1H]‐pyrimidinone (UPy) moiety onto the periphery of GQD‐ 1 . GQD‐ 2 b – e formed supramolecular assemblies through hydrogen bonding between the UPy units. GPC analysis showed that GQDs with high loadings of the UPy group formed larger assemblies, and this trend was confirmed by DOSY and viscosity measurements. AFM images showed the polymeric network structures of GQD‐ 2 e on mica with flat structures (ca. 1.1 nm in height), but no such structures were observed in GQD‐ 2 a , which only carries the C16 group. GQD‐ 2 c and GQD‐ 2 d formed organogels in n‐decanol, and the gelation properties can be altered by replacing the alkyl chains in the UPy group with ethylene glycol chains (GQD‐ 3 ). GQD can thus be used as a platform for supramolecular polymers and organogelators by suitable chemical functionalization.     

Chemical Functionalisation and Photoluminescence of Graphene Quantum Dots

Chemical modification of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can influence their physical and chemical properties; hence, the investigation of the effect of organic functional groups on GQDs is of importance for developing GQD–organic hybrid materials. Three peripherally functionalised GQDs having a third‐generation dendritic wedge (GQD‐ 2 ), long alkyl chains (GQD‐ 3 ) and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane group (GQD‐ 4 ) were prepared by the Cu^I‐catalysed Huisgen cycloaddition reaction of GQD‐ 1 with organic azides. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that reduction occurred on the surfaces of GQD‐ 1 – 4 and on the five‐membered imide rings at the periphery, and this suggested that the functional groups distort the periphery by steric interactions between neighbouring functional groups. The HOMO–LUMO bandgaps of GQD‐ 1 – 4 were estimated to be approximately 2 eV, and their low‐lying LUMO levels (<?3.9 eV) were lower than that of phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester, an n‐type organic semiconductor. The solubility of GQD‐ 1 – 4 in organic solvents depends on the functional groups present. The functional groups likely cover the surfaces and periphery of the GQDs, and thus increase their affinity for solvent and avoid precipitation. Similar to GQD‐ 2 , both GQD‐ 3 and GQD‐ 4 emitted white light upon excitation at 360 nm. Size‐exclusion chromatography demonstrated that white‐light emission originates from the coexistence of differently sized GQDs that have different photoluminescence emission wavelengths.     

Preparation of Polycrystalline Antimonic Acid Films by Electrophoretic Deposition

Cubic antimonic acid (Sb₂O₅·nH₂O) films were successfully prepared on stainless steel and Si(100) substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) using two types of sols. The sols were prepared by reacting an H₂O₂ aqueous solution with Sb(O-i-C₃H₇)₃ or metallic Sb powder. The resulting films were found to consist of fine particles of cubic Sb₂O₅·nH₂O single crystals with uniform particle sizes of 30 nm and 150 nm. The weight of the Sb₂O₅·nH₂O deposit on the anode Si(100) substrate by EPD increased linearly with the current density in the range of 0–0.67 mA cm^–2, when the sol pH was over 7. The proton conductivity of the polycrystalline Sb₂O₅·nH₂O discs, formed from the two types of sols, was evaluated by an ac impedance method at room temperature under controlled levels of relative humidity.     

Fluorescence and Sensing Applications of Graphene Oxide and Graphene Quantum Dots: A Review

Graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots are attractive fluorophores that are inexpensive, nontoxic, photostable, water‐soluble, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. They find extensive applications in fluorescent biosensors and chemosensors, in which they serve as either fluorophores or quenchers. As fluorophores, they display tunable photoluminescence emission and the “giant red‐edge effect”. As quenchers, they exhibit a remarkable quenching efficiency through either electron transfer or Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process. In this review, the origin of fluorescence and the mechanism of excitation wavelength‐dependent fluorescence of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots are discussed. Sensor design strategies based on graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots are presented. The applications of these sensors in health care, the environment, agriculture, and food safety are highlighted.     

电泳沉积制备氧化石墨烯-银电极及其氧还原催化性能

通过在1-甲基-2-吡咯烷酮(NMP)中超声剥离氧化石墨制备出稳定的氧化石墨烯(GO)分散液,添加AgNO3使氧化石墨烯吸附Ag+而带正电荷。采用电泳沉积法使GO沉积到阴极的玻璃碳电极上,Ag+被电化学还原为单质银,均匀的分散在GO片层当中。通过AFM、SEM、Raman、XRD及元素面扫分析对制备电极的形貌、结构进行表征。在碱性环境中进行氧还原测试,结果表明GO+Ag电极的氧还原起始电位较玻璃碳电极最大正移228 mV,还原电流密度最大为7.564 mA·cm-2,是玻璃碳电极的3.4倍。通过不同转速下的线性扫描曲线绘制Koutechy-Levich图,计算氧还原反应的电子转移数为3.3。     

电泳沉积制备氧化石墨烯-银电极及其氧还原催化性能

通过在1-甲基-2-吡咯烷酮（NMP）中超声剥离氧化石墨制备出稳定的氧化石墨烯（GO）分散液,添加AgNO₃使氧化石墨烯吸附Ag+而带正电荷。采用电泳沉积法使GO沉积到阴极的玻璃碳电极上,Ag+被电化学还原为单质银,均匀的分散在GO片层当中。通过AFM、SEM、Raman、XRD及元素面扫分析对制备电极的形貌、结构进行表征。在碱性环境中进行氧还原测试,结果表明GO+Ag电极的氧还原起始电位较玻璃碳电极最大正移228mV,还原电流密度最大为7.564mA·cm^-2,是玻璃碳电极的3.4倍。通过不同转速下的线性扫描曲线绘制Koutechy-Levich图,计算氧还原反应的电子转移数为3.3。     

Chlorine Modulation Fluorescent Performance of Seaweed-Derived Graphene Quantum Dots for Long-Wavelength Excitation Cell-Imaging Application

Biological imaging is an essential means of disease diagnosis. However, semiconductor quantum dots that are used in bioimaging applications comprise toxic metal elements that are nonbiodegradable, causing serious environmental problems. Herein, we developed a novel ecofriendly solvothermal method that uses ethanol as a solvent and doping with chlorine atoms to prepare highly fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from seaweed. The GQDs doped with chlorine atoms exhibit high-intensity white fluorescence. Thus, their preliminary application in bioimaging has been confirmed. In addition, clear cell imaging could be performed at an excitation wavelength of 633 nm.     

石墨烯量子点在储能器件中的应用

石墨烯量子点(GQDs)作为新型碳基材料,由于其纳米级小尺寸而具有比表面积大、导电性高、透明性好、荧光性能独特等优点,是一种极具潜力的储能器件电极材料。GQDs与金属化合物、碳材料等形成具有三维空间结构的复合材料,有利于电子扩散和离子传输,大幅度改善GQDs作为电极材料的实际应用性能。异原子掺杂型GQDs可提供较多活性位点,提高活性物质利用率。本文介绍了GQDs的合成策略,主要分为自上而下和自下而上法。不同制备方法对GQDs的粒径大小、表面缺陷位点和荧光特性等的影响也不尽相同。通过阐述近几年GQDs、掺杂型GQDs及其复合物在超级电容器、锂离子电池、太阳能电池等能源器件方面的应用实例,表明具有量子限域效应和边界效应的GQDs基材料在新型储能器件中有巨大的应用潜力;通过深层剖析GQDs复合物的空间结构对储能器件电化学性能的影响,为今后深入研究奠定基础。此外,指出未来GQDs的发展方向是寻找快速、绿色环保的大批量合成方法,均匀、有效的掺杂或复合以及构建独特空间结构的电极材料,进一步提高其应用于储能器件时的电化学性能。     

Solution‐Processable Graphene Quantum Dots

This minireview describes recent progress in solution‐processable graphene quantum dots (SGQDs). Advances in the preparation, modification, properties, and applications of SGQDs are highlighted in detail. As one of emerging nanostructured materials, possible ongoing research related to the precise control of the lateral size, edge structure and surface functionality; the manipulation and characterization; the relationship between the properties and structure; and interfaces with biological systems of SGQDs have been speculated upon.     

Graphene Nanosheets and Quantum Dots: A Smart Material for Electrochemical Applications

A novel material for the electrochemical determination of endocrine disruptors using a composite based on graphene oxide modified with cadmium telluride quantum dots has been evaluated. The morphology, structure and electrochemical performance of the composite electrodes were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV‐visible absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, Raman spectra and cyclic voltammetry. The dynamic light scattering, transmission electronic microscopy and spectrophotometric measurements all showed good distribution of the quantum dots with a small particle size. The electrochemical measurements demonstrated the high performance of the composite response in the presence of a light source. Differential pulse voltammetry allowed the development of a method to determine 17β‐estradiol levels in the range from 0.2 to 4.0 μmol L ^?1 with a detection limit of 2.8 nmol L ^?1 (0.76 μg L ^?1).     

Diverse Nanoassemblies of Graphene Quantum Dots and Their Mineralogical Counterparts

Complex structures from nanoparticles are found in rocks, soils, and sea sediments but the mechanisms of their formation are poorly understood, which causes controversial conclusions about their genesis. Here we show that graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can assemble into complex structures driven by coordination interactions with metal ions commonly present in environment and serve a special role in Earth's history, such as Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺. GQDs self‐assemble into mesoscale chains, sheets, supraparticles, nanoshells, and nanostars. Specific assembly patterns are determined by the effective symmetry of the GQDs when forming the coordination assemblies with the metal ions. As such, maximization of the electronic delocalization of π‐orbitals of GQDs with Fe³⁺ leads to GQD‐Fe‐GQD units with D₂ symmetry, dipolar bonding potential, and linear assemblies. Taking advantage of high electron microscopy contrast of carbonaceous nanostructures in respect to ceramic background, the mineralogical counterparts of GQD assemblies are found in mineraloid shungite. These findings provide insight into nanoparticle dynamics during the rock formation that can lead to mineralized structures of unexpectedly high complexity.     

石墨烯量子点在生化分析中的应用研究进展

介绍了石墨烯量子点（GQDs）在生化分析领域如生物分子检测、金属离子检测、细菌检测、细胞成像、组织成像以及活体成像等方面的最新研究动态。     

荧光石墨烯量子点制备及其在细胞成像中的应用

利用电化学方法在碱性条件下电解石墨棒, 通过常温下水合肼还原, 得到5～10 nm的荧光石墨烯量子点(Graphene Quantum Dots, GQDs). 通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)、原子力显微镜(AFM)对所制备的GQDs进行形貌表征, GQDs的粒子大小均一, 为单层石墨烯. 通过傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、荧光光谱(PL)、紫外可见吸收光谱(UV-vis)、X 射线衍射光谱(XRD)对所制备的GQDs进行性质测定, 发现GQDs可以发出黄色荧光, 量子产率为14%, 毒性低、具有良好的水溶性、荧光稳定性和生物兼容性, 可顺利进入细胞, 在肿瘤细胞的成像研究方面具有广泛的应用前景.     

Covalent Crosslinking of Graphene Quantum Dots by McMurry Deoxygenation Coupling

Graphene quantum dots were covalently crosslinked forming ensembles of a few hundred nanometers in size by McMurry deoxygenation coupling reactions of peripheral carbonyl functional moieties catalyzed by TiCl₄ and Zn powders in refluxing THF, as evidenced by TEM, AFM, FTIR, Raman and XPS measurements. Photoluminescence measurements showed that after chemical coupling, the excitation and emission peaks blue‐shifted somewhat and the emission intensity increased markedly, likely due to the removal of oxygenated species where quinone‐like species are known to be effective electron acceptors and emission quenchers.     

石墨烯量子点荧光开关综合实验的设计

以柠檬酸为原料通过脱水缩合的方法合成荧光石墨烯量子点,结合透射电镜、红外及荧光光谱仪对其结构、组成及性能进行表征,并利用过渡金属离子与石墨烯量子点之间的电子转移作用、乙二胺四乙酸与金属离子之间的络合作用使其发生荧光淬灭与恢复,实现石墨烯量子点荧光“关”与“开”的设计,并总结出过渡金属离子电子结构与荧光开关之间的作用规律。将实验教学与前沿研究紧密结合,涵盖了材料合成、表征和性能研究等3方面的内容,内容丰富、综合性强,有利于培养学生的科研素养与实验技能,并提高其分析问题、解决问题的能力。     

石墨烯量子点负载银纳米粒子制备及氧还原电催化活性

银基氧还原电催化剂具有较高的电催化活性且价格相对低廉,因而受到广泛关注. 本文采用简单、预先合成的石墨烯量子点作为载体和还原剂,制得了负载于石墨烯量子点、且无保护剂和表面活性剂的表面洁净银纳米粒子（Ag NPs/GQDs）. 电化学研究表明,Ag NPs/GQDs复合电催化剂的氧还原有较高的电催化活性,氧在碱性溶液中可经4电子途径还原为水. 与商业铂碳电极（Pt/C）相比,AgNPs/GQDs电极具有高催化电流密度、良好稳定性和极佳抗甲醇性能. 该银纳米粒子对开发高性能和低成本的非铂氧还原电催化剂有潜在的应用前景.     

Highly Photoluminescent Amino‐Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots Used for Sensing Copper Ions

Herein, we report a new kind of highly fluorescent probe for Cu²⁺ sensing generated by hydrothermal treatment of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). After hydrothermal treatment in ammonia, the greenish‐yellow fluorescent GQDs (gGQDs) with a low quantum yield (QY, 2.5 %) are converted to amino‐functionalized GQDs (afGQDs) with a high QY (16.4 %). Due to the fact that Cu²⁺ ions have a higher binding affinity and faster chelating kinetics with N and O on the surface of afGQDs than other transition‐metal ions, the selectivity of afGQDs for Cu²⁺ is much higher than that of gGQDs. Furthermore, afGQDs are biocompatible and eco‐friendly, and the afGQDs with a positive charge can be easily taken up by cells, which makes it possible to sense Cu²⁺ in living cells. The strategy presented here is simple in design, economical, and offers a “mix‐and‐detect” protocol without dye‐modified oligonucleotides or complex chemical modification.