One-step synthesis of amino-functionalized fluorescent carbon nanoparticles by hydrothermal carbonization of chitosan

Highly amino-functionalized fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were fabricated by hydrothermal carbonization of chitosan at a mild temperature. They were applied to bioimaging of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, showing low cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility.     

Metal chelation-controlled twisted intramolecular charge transfer and its application to fluorescent sensing of metal ions and anions

Two fluorescent ligands, N-(2-(5-cyanopyridyl))cyclen (L5) and N-(2-pyridyl)cyclen (L6) (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane), were designed and synthesized to control twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) by metal chelation in aqueous solution. By complexation with Zn(2+), L6 exhibited TICT emissions at 430 nm (excitation at 270 nm) in 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.0) with I = 0.1 (NaNO(3)) at 25 degrees C due to the perpendicular conformation of a pyridine ring with respect to a dialkylamino group, which was fixed by Zn(2+)-N(pyridine) coordination, as proven by potentiometric pH, UV, and fluorescence titrations and X-ray crystal structure analysis. We further describe that the 1:1 complexation of ZnL6 with guests such as succinimide, phosphates, thiolates, and dicarboxylates, which compete with a nitrogen in the pyridine ring for Zn(2+) in ZnL6, induces considerable emission shift from TICT emissions (at 430 nm) to locally excited emissions (at ca. 350 nm) in neutral aqueous solution at 25 degrees C.     

Environmentally friendly cleaner water-soluble fluorescent carbon dots coated with chitosan: synthesis and its application for sensitivity determination of Cr(VI) ions

In the current work, novel environmentally friendly water-soluble fluorescent carbon dots coated with chitosan (CDs/CTS) were successively synthesized via a facile and green preparation procedure. The fluorescent carbon dots were prepared through a simple, convenient and one-step hydrothermal method in the presence of cellulose as a raw material. The CDs/CTS were connected together via intermolecular hydrogen bonds interaction and chemical bonds between hydroxyl and amino groups in the chitosan polymeric chains and hydroxyl groups of fluorescent carbon dots. This approach can be applied for milligram-scale preparation of these water-soluble particles. The CDs/CTS material showed blue fluorescence under UV exposure. The structure and morphology of as-prepared CDs/CTS were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The as-prepared CDs/CTS exhibited excellent fluorescent property and good stability. The fluorescence of as-prepared CDs/CTS could be quenched by the Cr(VI) ions. The effects of environmental factors on the fluorescence intensity were investigated in detail, and the obtained results showed that the optimum conditions for the Cr(VI) ions determination were as follows: 1:3 of mass ratio of CDs/CTS, 9.5 of pH and 20 min of reaction time. Under optimized experimental conditions, a novel fluorescent probe was developed for the detection of Cr(VI) ions, which exhibited wide linear ranges (0–600 μmol/L) and excellent selectivity. The proposed method was directly applied for the determination of Cr(VI) ions in water and soil samples with satisfactory results.     

One-step synthesis of novel biacidic carbon via hydrothermal carbonization

The novel biacidic carbon has been synthesized via one-step hydrothermal carbonization of glucose, citric acid, and hydroxyethylsulfonic acid at 180 °C for only 4 h. The novel carbon had an acidity of 1.7 mmol/g with the carbonyl to sulfonic acid groups molar ratio of 1:3, which was confirmed by IR, XPS, TPD, SEM, and BET analyses. The catalytic activities of the carbon were investigated through esterification and oxathioketalization. The results showed that the carbon owned the comparable activities to sulfuric acid, which indicated that the carbon holds great potential for the green processes.     

One-step straightfoward solid synthesis of high yield white fluorescent carbon dots for white light emitting diodes

Herein,we directly prepared white fluorescent CDs(W-CDs) using 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene(1,6-DHN)and L-asparagine(L-Asn) as carbon sources through a simple solvent-free method.As-prepared W-CDs can be obtained in high yield(95%).A relative pure white LEDs(WLEDs) were fabricated with Commission Internationale de Eclairage(CIE) coordinates of(0.32,0.31).As-prepared W-CDs will have promising future for a wide range of optoelectronic devices.     

Amino acid derivatized carbon dots with tunable selectivity as logic gates for fluorescent sensing of metal cations

Carbon dots (CDs) modified with ethylene diamine (EDA) and the amino acids (AAs) Cys, His, Lys or Arg were synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. It is found that derivatization of the CDs with various AAs systemically modulates their electronic properties, and this results in a tunable selectivity in detection of metal cations via fluorescence quenching. The probes can be performed in aqueous solutions around pH 7. CDs can be excited under 345 nm excitation at room temperature and exhibit fluorescent peak at 450 nm. The decreasing fluorescence intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of metal cations. The limits of detection is 8.8 μg L^?1 for Pb(II), 20 μg L^?1 for Hg(II), 3.7 μg L^?1 for Cu(II), 5.3 μg L^?1 for Zn(II), 16 μg L^?1 for Fe(III), and 7.2 μg L^?1 for Cr(III), respectively. The different fluorescence response of the AA-modified CDs can be converted to logic gates and applied to photoelectronic nanoprobes by using microprocessors. In our perception, this assay has a large potential in terms of high-throughput screening for trace amounts of metal ions.

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Graphical abstract Amino acid derivatized carbon dots with tunable selectivity were synthesized by a one pot method for fluorescent sensing of metal cations. The sensing events can be directly converted into different logic gates.

     

One-pot electrochemical synthesis of functionalized fluorescent carbon dots and their selective sensing for mercury ion

We propose a simple, economical, and one-pot method to synthesize water-soluble functionalized fluorescent carbon dots (C-Dots) through electrochemical carbonization of sodium citrate and urea. The as-prepared C-Dots have good photostability and exhibit a high quantum yield of 11.9%. The sizes of the C-Dots are mainly distributed in the range of 1.0–3.5 nm with an average size of 2.4 nm. It has been further used as a novel label-free sensing probe for selective detection of Hg²⁺ ions with detection limit as low as 3.3 nM. The detection linear range is 0.01–10 μM. The as-prepared C-Dots are also successfully applied for the determination of Hg²⁺ in real water samples.     

One-step hydrothermal synthesis of flower-like SnO2/carbon nanotubes composite and its electrochemical properties

In this work, flower-like SnO₂/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite was synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method for high-capacity lithium storage. The microstructures of products were characterized by XRD, FESEM and TEM. The electrochemical performance of the flower-like SnO₂/CNTs composite was measured by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. The results show that the flower-like SnO₂/CNTs composite displays superior Li-battery performance with large reversible capacity and high rate capability. The first discharge and charge capacities are 1,230 and 842 mAh g^?1, respectively. After 40 cycles, the reversible discharge capacity is still maintained at 577 mAh g^?1 at the current densities of 50, 100 and 500 mA g^?1, indicating that it’s a promising anode material for high performance lithium-ion batteries.     

Usage of coconut coir for sustainable production of high-valued carbon dots with discriminatory sensing aptitude toward metal ions

A novel, remunerative, green synthetic methodology without adding any kind of extra chemical reagent has been proposed for synthesizing highly fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) by using waste coconut coir as the C source. The as-prepared C-dots possessed a quantum yield of 48% and displayed a high solubility rate in aqueous media. The fluorescence emission intensity of C-dots is found to be excitation dependent with high stability toward variation in the reaction medium. The bio-congenial performance of C-dots has been checked by employing quantitative multi-assay including fungus, plant, aquatic animals, and at the chromosomal level. It is notable that the antibacterial studies of as-prepared C-dots have presented appealing outcomes which advocated that C-dots prepared using coconut coir are biocompatible toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with no zone of inhibition in much higher concentration ranges. The as-prepared C-dots provided a simple sensing podium with high sensitivity and selectivity with a “turn-on and turn-off” fluorescence response for the detection of dual metal ions i.e. cadmium and copper ions in aqueous media with a detection limit of 0.18 nM and 0.28 nM, respectively. The practical utilities of the biocompatible C-dots have been checked over different water resources. The current work provided a simple, easy, bio-matched, harmless, rapid, and cost-effective sensory probe for wastewater remediation.     

Eco friendly synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots for the sensitive detection of ferric ions and cell imaging

This study established a ferric ion (Fe³⁺) detection method as a result of the fluorescence quenching effect of Fe³⁺ on carbon dots (CDs). Specifically, we proposed, a green microwave synthesis route towards fluorescent CDs that requires only the brewer’s spent grain as starting materials. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to investigate the CDs characteristic: morphology, size distribution, functional groups, and composition, respectively. The experimental results, which were run under optimal experimental conditions, indicated that the fluorescence intensity and concentration of Fe³⁺ were within the desired linear range (0.3–7 μM). The detection limit of this assay towards Fe³⁺ was 95 nM. The proposed method showed significant selectivity with respect to interfering ions. We evaluated the potential application of this method with tap water, lake water and fetal bovine serum as real samples. Additionally, the CDs could be served as superior bioimaging probes in Hela cells as a result of their excellent optical stability and good biocompatibility. In a word, the present study provides a new idea for CDs derived from the waste of agricultural products for detecting food or environmental contaminants and cell imaging.     

超声法一步合成生物相容的黄绿色荧光碳点

本文以蜡烛灰为碳源,在强酸环境中超声法一步合成了粒径均匀的荧光碳点（CDs）,粒径（3.47±1.81）nm,在紫外灯照射下发出黄绿色荧光.研究表明,CDs表面带有-OH、C=O和-COOH等官能团,存在sp3杂化和sp2杂化两种碳原子.所合成的碳点具有良好的耐光漂白能力和生物相容性,能潜在地作为黄绿色荧光成像试剂应用于细胞成像.     

甾体席夫碱荧光探针的微波合成及其对金属离子的识别

采用石胆酸与2-羟基-1-萘甲醛为原料,合成了一种新型甾体席夫碱结构荧光探针(L),其结构经NMR,IR,ESI-MS和元素分析表征。在pH 7.0缓冲溶液溶液中,探针L可以高选择性荧光识别Al^3+,检测限为8.0 nmol/L,适用范围为pH 6~10。当Al^3+与探针L配位时,生成1:1型配合物(L-Al^3+),在365 nm紫外灯照射下,由无色变成亮蓝色强荧光。     

Rational hydrothermal synthesis of graphene quantum dots with optimized luminescent properties for sensing applications

Hydrothermal synthesis using graphene oxide (GO) as a precursor has been used to produce luminescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs). However, such a method usually requires many reagents and multistep pretreatments, while can give rise to GQDs with low quantum yield (QY). Here, we investigated the concentration, the temperature of synthesis, and the pH of the GO solution used in the hydrothermal method through factorial design experiments aiming to optimize the QY of GQDs to reach a better control of their luminescent properties. The best synthesis condition (2 mg/mL, 175 °C, and pH = 8.0) yielded GQDs with a relatively high QY (8.9%) without the need of using laborious steps or dopants. GQDs synthesized under different conditions were characterized to understand the role of each synthesis parameter in the materials' structure and luminescence properties. It was found that the control of the synthesis parameters enables the tailoring of the amount of specific oxygen functionalities onto the surface of the GQDs. By changing the synthesis' conditions, it was possible to prioritize the production of GQDs with more hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, which influence their luminescent properties. The as-developed GQDs with tailored composition were used as luminescent probes to detect Fe³⁺. The lowest limit of detection (0.136 μM) was achieved using GQDs with higher amounts of carboxylic groups, while wider linear range was obtained by GQDs with superior QY. Thus, our findings contribute to rationally produce GQDs with tailored properties for varied applications by simply adjusting the synthesis conditions and suggest a pathway to understand the mechanism of detection of GQDs-based optical sensors.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of N-doped carbon dots for selective fluorescent sensing and cellular imaging of cobalt(II)

Microchimica Acta - Strongly blue fluorescent N-doped carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by using citric acid (CA) as the carbon source and diethylenetriamine (DETA) as the nitrogen source using a...     

Sensitive pH probe developed with water-soluble fluorescent carbon dots from chocolate by one-step hydrothermal method

In present work, fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) with an average diameter of 2.5 nm were firstly synthesised by a simple, convenient and low-cost hydrothermal method from chocolate. The obtained CDs possessed fine monodispersity and bright blue fluorescence that was strongest at an excitation wavelength of 360 nm and had a comparable quantum yield of 12% (in case of dots prepared in presence of nitric acid). The emission peak depended on the excitation wavelength in the range from 320 to 440 nm. Ionic strength had a weak effect up to 1.0 M and then no significant change was found in the range of 1.0–4.5 M. The fluorescence intensity of CDs displayed good pH adaptability and a linear dependence on the pH change in the range of pH 1.0–3.0 and pH 9.0–12.5, which have promising potentials for pH sensor.     

Layer-by-layer immobilization of carbon dots fluorescent nanomaterials on single optical fiber

We report within this paper the development of a fiber-optic based sensor for Hg(II) ions. Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation and functionalized with PEG₂₀₀ and N-acetyl-l-cysteine so they can be anionic in nature. This characteristic facilitated their deposition by the layer-by-layer assembly method into thin alternating films along with a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(ethyleneimine). Such films could be immobilized onto the tip of a glass optical fiber, allowing the construction of an optical fluorescence sensor. When immobilized on the fiber-optic tip, the resultant sensor was capable of selectively detecting sub-micromolar concentrations of Hg(II) with an increased sensitivity compared to carbon dot solutions. The fluorescence of the carbon dots was quenched by up to 44% by Hg(II) ions and interference from other metal ions was minimal.     

Optically switchable chelates: optical control and sensing of metal ions

This study introduces new concepts in the design, synthesis, and in vitro and in vivo characterization, manipulation, and imaging of organic chelates whose association with metal ions is rapidly and reversibly controlled by using light. Di- and tricarboxylic group bearing photochromes, nitrobenzospiropyran (nitroBIPS), undergo rapid and reversible, optically driven transitions between their spiro (SP) and fluorescent merocyanine (MC) states. The MC state of nitroBIPS-8-DA binds tightly to various metal ions resulting in specific shifts in absorption and fluorescence, and the dissociation constant for its Gadolinium complex in water is measured at approximately 5 microM. The metal-bound MC state is converted to the weaker-binding SP state with use of 543 nm light, while the SP to MC transition is complete with use of 365 or 720 nm (2-photon) light within several microseconds. Fluorescence imaging of the MC state of nitroBIPS-8-TriA was used to quantify the rate and efficiency of optical switching and to provide a real-time readout of the state of the optically switchable chelate within living cells.     

可视化辅助碳点荧光比色法检测水中痕量汞离子

利用巯基功能化碳点(M-CDs)构建用于检测水中Hg^2+的荧光探针。红外光谱证实M-CDs被巯基(-SH)成功修饰,透射电镜显示M-CDs的平均粒径约为4.88 nm。XRD晶型表征显示M-CDs具有类石墨烯结构。由于银硫醇盐的团聚作用,M-CDs溶液中加入Ag^+可快速形成M-CDs/Ag的棕色沉淀,并引起M-CDs的荧光猝灭。用PBS缓冲液(0.01 mol/L,pH 7.4)溶解沉淀物而形成检测Hg^2+的荧光传感器。在传感体系中加入Hg^2+后,M-CDs荧光明显恢复。在Hg^2+浓度为0.01~0.55 nmol/L范围内,检测体系荧光恢复强度与Hg^2+浓度成良好线性关系,检测限(LOD,3σ/k)4.2 pmol/L。该探针对Hg^2+表现出良好的选择性,同时可以通过可视化辅助判断探针的选择性。该传感器可用于对实际水样的检测,为Hg^2+污染监测提供技术依据。     

Facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots for Fe sensing and cellular imaging

A fast and facile approach to synthesize highly nitrogen (N)-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) by microwave-assisted pyrolysis of chitosan, acetic acid and 1,2-ethylenediamine as the carbon source, condensation agent and N-dopant, respectively, is reported. The obtained N-CDs are fully characterized by elemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Doping N heteroatoms benefits the generation of N-CDs with stronger fluorescence emission. As the emission of N-CDs is efficiently quenched by Fe³⁺, the as-prepared N-CDs are employed as a highly sensitive and selective probe for Fe³⁺ detection. The detection limit can reach as low as 10 ppb, and the linear range is 0.010–1.8 ppm Fe³⁺. The as-synthesized N-CDs have been successfully applied for cell imaging and detecting Fe³⁺ in biosystem.