One-Step Preparation of S,N Co-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for the Highly Sensitive and Simple Detection of Methotrexate

(1) Background: Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a new class of carbon nanomaterials with favorable features, such as tunable luminescence, unique optical properties, water solubility, and lack of cytotoxicity; they are readily applied in biomedicine. (2) Methods: S, N co-doped CQDs were prepared to develop a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence technique for the detection of methotrexate (MTX). For this purpose, citric acid and thiourea were used as C, N, and S sources in a single-step hydrothermal process to prepare the S, N co-doped CQDs, which displayed remarkable fluorescence properties. (3) Results: Two optimal emissions were observed at the excitation/emission wavelengths of 320/425 nm, respectively. The two emissions were significantly quenched in the presence of MTX. Under optimal conditions, MTX was detected in the linear concentration range of 1–300 μmol/L, with the detection limit of 0.33 μmol/L. The sensing mechanism was due to the fact that the effect of the inner filter on MTX and S, N-CQDs causes fluorescence quenching. The contents of MTX in real medicine samples were evaluated with acceptable recoveries of 98–101%. (4) Conclusions: This approach has great potential for detecting MTX in pharmaceutical analysis.     

氮掺杂鸡毛碳点荧光关开探针用于测定百草枯

以鸡毛和乙二胺为碳源和氮源,通过一步水热法合成强荧光性能的氮掺杂碳量子点(N-CQDs),并优化其制备和掺杂条件.该碳量子点具有良好的光学、结构性质和稳定性,平均粒径7.89 nm,荧光量子产率为14％.最大激发波长为320 nm,最大发射波长为386 nm.Hg2+存在条件下N-CQDs溶液的荧光被碎灭(关),添加百...     

Hydrothermal synthesis of fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots from ascorbic acid and valine for selective determination of picric acid in water samples

Nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were synthesised by a hydrothermal method using ascorbic acid and valine as precursors. The as-synthesised N-CQDs were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV?vis absorption spectra, as well as fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results revealed that the as-prepared N-CQDs were spherical shaped with an average diameter of 4 nm and emitted bright blue photoluminescence with a quantum yield of approximately 4.8 %. Additionally, we found that the fluorescence of the N-CQDs was intensively quenched by the addition of picric acid (PA). The decrease of the fluorescence intensity made it possible to determine PA in the linear range of 0.06–7.81 µg ml^–1 based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between PA and N-CQDs. The detection limit was as low as 11.46 ng ml^–1. The proposed approach was further successfully applied for the determination of PA in water sample collected from Fenhe river for public safety and security, suggesting its great potential towards water routine analysis.     

The green synthesis of carbon quantum dots and applications for sulcotrione detection and anti-pathogen activities

In this study, we synthesized simple, cheap, and stable nitrogen (N)-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) from Moringa oleifera roots. The N-CQDs exhibited an intense blue fluorescence and a quantum yield (QY) of up to 43.4%. When excited at 350 nm, the highest generated wavelength was observed at 445 nm. These N-CQDs were then successfully used to detect sulcotrione (limit of detection = 2 μg/mL); the method was reliable and exhibited good feasibility for measurements in real samples. When the N-CQDs concentration was 11.0 μL/mL, inhibitory rates against the pathogens, Corynespora cassiicola and Phytophtora nicotianae were 82.8% and 75.3%, respectively. To investigate N-CQDs safety for plant growth, different concentrations were investigated using sorghum seedlings, with N-CQDs exhibiting very low toxicity toward plant growth. Thus, these findings provide a basis for the development of N-CQDs as green pesticides.     

Silver Nanoparticle-Functionalised Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for the Highly Efficient Determination of Uric Acid

The fabrication of efficient fluorescent probes that possess an excellent sensitivity and selectivity for uric acid is highly desirable and challenging. In this study, composites of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) wrapped with nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were synthesised utilising N-CQDs as the reducing and stabilising agents in a single reaction with AgNO₃. The morphology and structure, absorption properties, functional groups, and fluorescence properties were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. In addition, we developed a novel method based on AgNPs/N-CQDs for the detection of uric acid using the enzymatic reaction of uric acid oxidase. The fluorescence enhancement of the AgNPs/N-CQDs composite was linear (R² = 0.9971) in the range of 2.0–60 μmol/L, and gave a detection limit of 0.53 μmol/L. Trace uric acid was successfully determined in real serum samples from the serum of 10 healthy candidates and 10 gout patients, and the results were consistent with those recorded by Qianxinan Prefecture People’s Hospital. These results indicate that the developed AgNP/N-CQD system can provide a universal platform for detecting the multispecies ratio fluorescence of H₂O₂ generation in other biological systems.     

Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots from Dried Lemon Peel for Determination of Carmine in Drinks

Carbon quantum dots(CQDs) with a quantum yield of 11% were synthesized via a simple, low-cost and green hydrothermal treatment using dried lemon peel as carbon source. The obtained CQDs showed a strong emission at the wavelength of 505 nm with an optimum excitation of 425 nm. Carmine with maximum absorption wavelength at 508 nm could selectively quench the fluorescence of CQDs. Based on this principle, a fluorescence probe was developed for carmine determination. The quenching mechanism of CQDs was elucidated. A linear relationship was found in the carmine concentration range of 0.20—30.00 mg/L with the detection limit(3σ/k) of 0.16 mg/L. Satisfactory results were achieved when the method was applied for the determination of carmine in soft drinks.     

Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Way Towards Highly Crystalized N-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots and Their Oxygen Reduction Performance

We proposed a green microwave-assisted hydrothermal way to synthesize highly crystalized N-doped carbon quantum dots(N-CQDs).The N-CQDs obtained by this microwave method have good crystalline degree(ID/IG=0.6)and a high molar ratio of N/C(11.1%)comparing with those obtained from traditional top-down method.The experimental results show that glycerine plays a key role ill the fonnation of highly crystalized N-CQDs.The as-prepared N-CQDs have good luminescent property and may be utilized as fluorescent probe to detect ions or mark cells.As the majority of N atoms in the N-CQDs were pyridinic type(64.8%),the as-prepared N-CQDs were used as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)electrocatalysis in the anode of the fuel cell(the onset potential is-0.121V),which was a 4e-transfer procedure and the catalyst showed good stability after 100 cycles.     

Selenium‐Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Free‐Radical Scavenging

Heteroatom doping is an effective way to adjust the fluorescent properties of carbon quantum dots. However, selenium‐doped carbon dots have rarely been reported, even though selenium has unique chemical properties such as redox‐responsive properties owing to its special electronegativity. Herein, a facile and high‐output strategy to fabricate selenium‐doped carbon quantum dots (Se‐CQDs) with green fluorescence (quantum yield 7.6 %) is developed through the hydrothermal treatment of selenocystine under mild conditions. Selenium heteroatoms endow the Se‐CQDs with redox‐dependent reversible fluorescence. Furthermore, free radicals such as ^.OH can be effectively scavenged by the Se‐CQDs. Once Se‐CQDs are internalized into cells, harmful high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells are decreased. This property makes the Se‐CQDs capable of protecting biosystems from oxidative stress.     

应用糖基化碳量子点研究甘露糖与致病菌之间的相互作用

以柠檬酸为碳源,通过水热法制备得到荧光碳量子点(CQDs),基于其表面的—COOH,将4-氨基苯基-α-D-吡喃甘露糖苷以共价键的方式固定在CQDs表面,得到甘露糖基化碳量子点(Man-CQDs),并通过荧光竞争法,结合Scatchard方程计算了Man-CQDs与大肠杆菌JM109、大肠杆菌DH5a和沙门氏菌S.123443的结合常数Ka。实验得到CQDs的粒径为26 nm,最大发射波长为445 nm,荧光产率相较于54%硫酸奎宁为76%,Man-CQDs荧光强度与CQDs相比基本保持不变,通过苯酚-硫酸法计算得到Man-CQDs浓度为2.832 mmol/L,Man-CQDs纳米颗粒中甘露糖含量约为40%。根据Man-CQDs、D-Mannose与致病菌竞争结合实验,结合Scatchard模型方程,计算得到Man-CQDs与大肠杆菌JM109的结合常数Ka=2.39×103L/mol,Man-CQDs与沙门氏菌S.123443的结合常数Ka=1.17×105L/mol,Man-CQDs与大肠杆菌DH5a无有效结合。研究结果显示,该方法可用于甘露糖与致病菌非共价结合的结合常数测定,为研究糖与致病菌相互作用提供了参考。     

Synthesis of carbon quantum dots for DNA labeling and its electrochemical,fluorescent and electrophoretic characterization

Nanoparticles as a progressively developing branch offer a tool for studying the interaction of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with DNA. In this study, fluorescent CQDs were synthesized using citric acid covered with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the source of carbon precursors. Furthermore, interactions between CQDs and DNA (double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA) were investigated by spectral methods, gel electrophoresis, and electrochemical analysis. Primarily, the fluorescent behavior of CQDs in the presence of DNA was monitored and major differences in the interaction of CQDs with tested single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were observed at different amounts of CQDs (µg mL^?1: 25, 50, 100, 250, 500). It was found that the interaction of ssDNA with CQDs had no significant influence on the CQDs fluorescence intensity measured at the excitation wavelengths of 280 nm, 350 nm, and 400 nm. However, in the presence of dsDNA, the fluorescence intensity of CQDs was significantly increased. Our results provide basic understanding of the interaction between CQDs and DNA. Such fabricated CQDs-DNA might be of great benefit for the emerging nanomaterials based biosensing methods.     

中温煤沥青基碳量子点的制备与结构解析

以中温煤沥青为碳源，采用HNO₃预处理结合球磨过程及双氧水氧化刻蚀的方法制备沥青基荧光碳量子点，以CQDs的收率和荧光量子产率为目标，获得最优制备条件：反应时间6 h、H₂O₂加入量100 mL （c-CQDs），此时，CQDs收率和荧光量子产率分别为6.3%和11.2%，且尺寸均匀、粒径分布在4-14 nm。延长反应时间至8 h （a-CQDs），碳量子点团聚；H₂O₂用量增加至120 mL （b-CQDs）则导致碳量子点氧化过度，颗粒小且杂乱无章。对不同条件下所制备的CQDs进行XPS、红外光谱、热重、¹³C NMR、Raman和晶相分析，探究反应条件对CQDs结构的影响规律。结果表明，就碳含量而言，a-CQDs > b-CQDs > c-CQDs，氧元素含量则为b-CQDs > c-CQDs > a-CQDs。各CQDs结构中C主要以芳碳形式存在，c-CQDs的C=O、O-C=O含量最高，而b-CQDs的C-O含量最高，¹³C NMR分析发现CQDs中表征平均芳环尺寸大小的X_b约为0.5，相应地，其平均芳环数约为3。     

基于碳量子点的光电器件应用新进展

碳量子点(CQDs)作为一种新型荧光碳纳米材料,由于其较高的电子迁移率、较长的热电子寿命、极快的电子取出速度,可调的带隙宽度、较强的稳态荧光等独特的光电性质和可溶液加工、成本低廉的特点,使得CQDs在光电器件领域具有广阔的应用前景,近年来受到人们的广泛关注,重要的研究成果不断涌现。本文首先简要介绍了CQDs的合成方法、化学结构及其光电性质,然后总结了CQDs在发光二极管(LEDs)、太阳能电池(SCs)和光电探测器(PDs)等光电器件领域的研究进展,最后对CQDs的发展方向进行了展望。     

野酸枣氮掺杂荧光碳量子点高灵敏检测Hg2+

以天然产物野酸枣和色氨酸为原料,通过水热法一步合成量子产率为16.9%的氮掺杂荧光碳量子点。该碳量子点具有良好的水溶性和耐光性,在高盐环境中也呈现出了较高的稳定性。应用荧光光谱、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对碳量子点进行了表征。此外,Hg^2+能够有效地猝灭碳量子点的荧光,猝灭机理为电子转移的动态猝灭。基于此,可将碳量子点作为荧光探针检测Hg^2+。方法对Hg^2+的检测范围为1~50 nmol/L,检出限为0.26 nmol/L,能够应用于实际水样中Hg2+含量的测定。     

Facile and one-step preparation carbon quantum dots from biomass residue and their applications as efficient surfactants

Using biomass residue as a source of carbon precursors, a pyrolysis method was used to prepare biomass-derived luminescent Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs). The prepared CQDs exhibited excellent fluorescence and luminescence properties and fluorescence behaviors of CQDs acquired at different pyrolysis temperatures varied. Importantly, the CQDs showed superior surface activity and the styrene-in-water Pickering emulsion prepared using the CQDs as nano-sized surfactant was highly stable: the higher the pyrolysis temperature the better the stability of the emulsion. In addition, there was no stratification found in the emulsion which was stabilized by the CQD500 (CQDs prepared at 500?°C) after holding for 72?hours. This research provided an approach for preparing the surfactants of nano-sized particles in large scale. The CQDs prepared using the proposed methods are expected to have a high number of potential applications.     

Room‐Temperature Solution‐Processed PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are attractive absorber materials for high‐efficiency photovoltaics because of their facile solution processing, bandgap tunability due to quantum confinement effect, and multi‐exciton generation. To date, all published performance records for PbS CQDs solar cells have been based on the conventional hot‐injection synthesis method. This method usually requires relatively strict conditions such as high temperature and the utility of expensive source material (pyrophoric bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfide (TMS‐S)), limiting the potential for large‐scale and low‐cost synthesis of PbS CQDs. Here we report a facile room‐temperature synthetic method to produce high‐quality PbS CQDs through inexpensive ionic source materials including Pb(NO₃)₂ and Na₂S in the presence of triethanolamine (TEA) as the stabilizing ligand. The PbS CQDs were successfully prepared with an average particle size of about 5 nm. Solar cells based on the as‐synthesized PbS CQDs show a preliminary power conversion efficiency of 1.82%. This room‐temperature and low‐cost synthesis of PbS CQDs will further benefit the development of solution‐processed CQD solar cells.     

Facile Microwave‐Assisted Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent Nitrogen–Sulfur‐Codoped Carbon Quantum Dots for Cellular Imaging Applications

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have recently attracted significant attention for both their fundamental science and technological applications as a new class of fluorescent zero‐dimensional nanomaterials with a size below 10 nm. However, the reported methods of synthesis were generally less suitable for the large‐scale production of the CQDs with high‐fluorescent quantum yield (QY). In the paper, a novel one‐pot microwave‐assisted drying synthesis approach was presented to prepare CQDs with high QY of 61.3 % for the first time. The production yield of CQDs was 35±3 % in weight. The as‐prepared CQDs were characterized by various techniques such as TEM, AFM, XRD, XPS, FTIR spectroscopy, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the high QY of CQDs was largely attributed to the dual doping of nitrogen and sulphur into CQDs. Such CQDs were then used as live‐cell imaging reagents due to their high QY, good water dispersibility, fine biocompatibility, high photostability, and low cytotoxicity.     

碳量子点的制备及其在能源与环境领域应用进展

碳量子点(carbon quantum dots,CQDs)作为碳纳米材料家族的新成员引起了科学家广泛关注和极大的研究兴趣。 CQDs具有优良的光学特性、生物相容性及微弱的细胞毒性,在生物医药、生物传感器及光电子设备、环境及能源等领域中具有重要的应用。 本文从CQDs的制备方法出发,介绍了近年来发展的新型制备方法,讨论了其优缺点以及对所得CQDs在组成、结构和性质等方面的影响;基于CQDs独特的光学及电化学性能,重点介绍了CQDs在环境与能源领域的应用。 此外,对CQDs研究过程中存在的若干挑战进行了分析,提出了未来发展的一些思考和建议,为拓展CQDs多方面应用提供重要参考。     

碳点/β-环糊精复合物的制备及其用于尿酸检测的研究

以柠檬酸三钠为碳源,采用微波辅助制备碳点,用β-环糊精(β-CD)和碳点复合制备出碳点/β-CD复合物,并用荧光、紫外、红外光谱等进行表征.在pH=6.6的磷酸盐缓冲溶液中,尿酸可使碳点/β-CD复合物的荧光增强,探讨了反应时间、反应温度、缓冲溶液及pH对荧光增强程度的影响,建立了测定尿样中尿酸含量的方法.碳点/β-C...     

碳量子点的合成研究进展与展望

碳量子点(CQDs)呈现出的亲水性、低细胞毒性、化学及光稳定性等优异性质,使其在化学、生物医学、传感学及光电子学领域得到了广泛的关注与应用。本文重点介绍CQDs合成的最新进展,总结了宏观条件下CQDs合成的自上而下法(弧光放电、激光烧蚀、电化学等)与自下而上法(化学氧化、热分解、微波加热等),比较了不同合成方法中碳源的利用率、反应条件、产物的尺寸分布、荧光性能及应用,讨论了各种合成方法的成功之处与存在的问题。文中详细介绍了基于微反应器原理的反胶束法和模板法在CQDs尺寸可控合成领域的应用。微流控芯片技术在纳米材料合成中显现安全、高效、可控等优于宏观反应体系的优势,结合目前微流控芯片合成CQDs的研究进展,可以预期微流控芯片在不久的将来将会在CQDs的合成中得到更成功的应用。