Facile Synthesis of Carbon Dots from Biomass Material and Multi-Purpose Applications

Selective and sensitive water content measurement in organic solvents is extremely significant for both industrial use and laboratory preparation. Carbon nanodots are promising carbon nanomaterials with unique and novel properties and thus have drawn growing attention. However, the hydrothermal approach for the preparation of carbon dots always uses water as solvent, and consequently, the development of carbon dots from biomass materials for fluorescence detection of water content remains unexplored. Here, carbon dots were prepared from gallic acid via a cheap and facile one-step method. The as-prepared carbon dots present excellent sensitivity and selectivity toward water content and exhibits good linear relationships with water content in range of 0–10%. The carbon dots demonstrated a strong antioxidation capacity and colour-reaction of Fe³⁺ like gallic acid. The carbon dots also showed solid-state lighting.

     

One step synthesis of ultra-high quantum yield fluorescent carbon dots for “on-off-on” detection of Hg2+ and biothiols

In this paper, the carbon dots (CDs) with strong blue fluorescence were synthesized through hydrothermal method, which using folic acid, ammonium citrate and ethylenediamine as precursors. The prepared CDs with a high absolute quantum yield of 81.94% and showed excellent stability in high concentration salt solution and different pH conditions. With the addition of Hg²⁺, the signal of CDs was selectively quenched. At the same time, the CDs-Hg²⁺ system could be recovered after the introduction of biothiols. Moreover, the fluorescence of CDs showed a good linear relationship with Hg²⁺ (1–15 µM), and the detection limit as low as 0.08 µM. In addition, the prepared CDs with low toxicity could be used to detect Hg²⁺ in living cells and actual water samples.

     

A FRET Fluorescent Sensor for Ratiometric and Visual Detection of Sulfide Based on Carbon Dots and Silver Nanoclusters

In this work, the fluorescent sensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and electrostatic interaction (EI) was prepared for the ratiometric and visual detecting S^2–. The FRET fluorescent sensor consists of two fluorophores, with carbon dots (CDs) as energy donors and silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) as acceptors. At 390 nm excitation, CDs and Ag NCs showed two well-separated peaks at 445 nm and 660 nm, separately. The existence of S^2– caused the red fluorescence at 660 nm to be quenched, whereas the blue fluorescence at 445 nm was restored, and the fluorescence color of the ratiometric sensor changed from pink to blue. It could be employed in ratiometric and visual detecting S^2–. The linear range of quantitative detection S^2– was 0.5–100 μM, and its detection limit was 0.35 μM. CDs-Ag NCs could be used for detecting S^2– in mineral water and tap water. The results showed that the FRET ratiometric fluorescent sensor exhibits good anti-interference and high selectivity for detecting S^2– in environmental water samples.

     

Electrical,optical and fluorescence percolations in P(VAc-co-BuA)/MWCNT composite films

Effects of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) addition on the electrical conductivities, optical transparencies and fluorescence emissions of poly(vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate) (P(VAc-co-BuA))/MWCNT composite films were studied. Optical transmission, fluorescence emission and two point probe resistivity techniques were used to determine the variations of the optical, fluorescence and electrical properties of the composites, respectively. Transmitted photon intensity (I _tr), fluorescence emission intensity (I _fl) and surface resistivity (ρ _s) of the composite films were monitored as a function of MWCNT mass fraction (M) at room temperature. All these measured quantities of the composites were decreased by increasing the content of MWCNT in the composite. The conductivity and the optical results were attributed to the classical and site percolation theories, respectively. The fluorescence results, however, possessed both the site and classical percolation theories at low and high MWCNT content regions, respectively.     

Detection of Fe3+ and Hg2+ Ions by Using High Fluorescent Carbon Dots Doped With S And N as Fluorescence Probes

In this paper, carbon quantum dots (N-S-CDs) containing sulfur and nitrogen were synthesized using citric acid and thiourea. The average particle size of N-S-CDs is 8 nm. The N-S-CDs surface contains various of functional groups, which has good water solubility. The fluorescence quantum yield of N-S-CDs is as high as 36.8%. N-S-CDs emits strong blue fluorescence in aqueous solution and has good photostability in neutral and alkaline NaCl solution. N-S-CDs has unique selectivity and high sensitivity to Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions, and the lowest detection limits are 1.4 μM and 0.16 μM, respectively. Under the interference of other metal ions, Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions can still effectively and stably quench the fluorescence of N-S-CDs. In addition, in the detection of actual samples, N-S-CDs can effectively detect Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in tap water and lake water.

     

Blue and red dual emission nanophosphor CaMgSi2O6:Eun+; crystal structure and electronic configuration

Well dispersed Eu doped CaMgSi₂O₆ (CMS) nanoparticles of 12–19 nm average sizes were synthesized by the co-precipitation method using different ratios of water and ethanol mixture as a solvent and subsequent air annealing. While ethanol as solvent produced pure CMS in monoclinic phase, pure water produced Ca₂MgSi₂O₇ (C2MS) and CMS in the mixed phase. Apart from the composition of CMS and C2MS, concentration and ionization state of the activator depended strongly on the composition (effective dielectric constant) of the solvent. Both the blue and red emission bands could be revealed for the europium activated CMS nanoparticles using single europium precursor. Efficiency of blue and red emissions in the nanophosphors, controlled by the relative abundance of europium in Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ oxidation states, could be controlled by adjusting the water content in the solvent. The relative intensity of the red emission (615 nm) decreased with the increase of water content in the solvent.     

Live Cell Imaging With Biocompatible Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots Derived From Edible Mushrooms Agaricus bisporus,Pleurotus ostreatus,and Suillus luteus

In the study, fluorescent imaging of live cells was performed using fluorescent carbon quantum dots derived from edible mushrooms species; Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Suillus luteus as a fluorophore agent. Carbon quantum dots were synthesized through a facile and low-cost method based on microwave irradiation of dried mushroom samples in hydrogen peroxide solution under optimized conditions (microwave energy, solution type, duration of microwave treatment, amount of mushroom). Upon purification with centrifugation, microfiltration, and dialysis, the lyophilized carbon quantum dots were identified through UV–visible, fluorescence and FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and quantum yield calculation. Cell viability assessment of the carbon quantum dots was evaluated against human epithelial cell line PNT1A using the Alamar Blue Assay. In vitro fluorescence cell imaging studies demonstrated that the carbon dots could dynamically penetrate the cell membrane and nuclear membrane and localize in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus.

     

应用于白光显示的Tm3+/Ho3+/Yb3+共掺碲酸盐玻璃上转换发光特性研究

用高温熔融法制备了Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺碲酸盐玻璃(TeO₂-ZnO-La₂O₃)样品,测试了玻璃样品的吸收光谱和上转换发光光谱,分析了上转换发光机理.结果发现:在975 nm波长激光二极管(LD)激励下,制备的碲酸盐玻璃样品可以观察到强烈的红光(662 nm)、绿光(546 nm)和蓝光(480 nm)三基色上转换发光,红光对应于Tm³⁺离子 关键词： 碲酸盐玻璃 上转换发光 白光 3+/Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺')" href="#">Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺     

Fluorescence of N,N-di(2-carboxyethyl)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-anisidine in solution and crystalline states

The fluorescence properties of N,N-di(2-carboxyethyl)-p-anisidine (I) in solvents of various nature and in the crystalline state have been studied at room temperature (273 K) and at the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77 K). Fluorescence in aqueous solutions of I with protonated (λ _ex /λ _fl ^max = 225/290 nm) and unprotonated (λ _ex /λ _fl ^max = 270/380 nm) amino nitrogen has been detected. On going from aqueous solutions to nonaqueous, the fluorescence band of unprotonated I experiences a blue shift and its intensity rises. The fluorescence intensity of the band in aprotic polar solvents is higher than that in protic solvents. A linear dependence of the fluorescence intensity of deprotonated I on Cu(II) concentration (ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 mg/dm³) in aqueous solution has been found. The fluorescence intensity of I in aqueous solutions at 77 K and pH 1–6 has been shown to increase in the presence of Zn(II) (1–170 mg/dm³) and Cd(II) (2–330 mg/dm³) although a similar dependence is not observed at 293 K.     

A Fiber-Optic Evanescent Wave O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Sensor Based on Ru(II)-Doped Fluorinated ORMOSILs

A novel fiber-optic evanescent wave sensor (FOEWS) for O₂ detection based on [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺-doped hybrid fluorinated ORMOSILs (organically modified silicates) has been developed. The sensing element was fabricated by dip-coating the optical fiber with [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺-doped hybrid fluorinated ORMOSILs composed of n-propyltrimethoxysilane (n-propyl-TriMOS) and 3, 3, 3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFP–TriMOS). Fluorophores of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ were excited by the evanescent wave field produced on the fiber core surface and the emission fluorescence was quenched by O₂. Spectroscopic properties have been characterized by FTIR and UV–VIS absorption measurements. By using the presented hybrid fluorinated ORMOSILs, which enhances the coating surface hydrophobicity, the quenching response is increased. The sensitivity of the sensor is 7.5, which is quantified in terms of the ratio I _N2/I _O2 (I _N2 and I _O2 represent the fluorescence intensities in pure N₂ and pure O₂ environments, respectively). The limit of detection (L.O.D.) is 0.01% (3σ) and the response time is about 1 s. Meanwhile, the proposed FOEWS has the advantages of easy fabrication, low cost, fast response and suitable sensitivity for oxygen monitoring using a cheap blue LED as light source and coupling a miniature PMT detector directly to the optical fiber probe.     

Optical and structural properties of Pr:GGG crystalline thin film waveguides grown by pulsed-laser deposition

Crystalline Pr³⁺ doped Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ (Pr:GGG) thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) substrates. The chemical composition and structural properties of the films were studied using Rutherford backscattering and X-ray diffraction, respectively. A strong influence of the oxygen pressure on the gallium content in the films as well as in the target surface was found. Films deposited at lower temperature or lower oxygen pressure are amorphous or Ga deficient. Well crystallised and stoichiometric GGG films were fabricated at 800 °C in the 5 to 10 Pa oxygen pressure range. These films present blue, orange and red fluorescence emissions from ³P₀ and ¹D₂ levels of Pr³⁺ ions and fluorescence decay times which are similar to those of the bulk single crystal. Their refractive index of 1.964 close to the bulk crystal value and their waveguiding propagation attenuation of 1.0±0.3 dB/cm measured at 632.8 nm wavelength indicate promising waveguiding properties. PACS 81.15 Fg; 78.55 Hx; 68.55 a     

Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Amoxicillin Using Carbon Quantum Dots Derived from Beet

In the present work, we synthesized the carbon quantum dots (CQDs) by one step hydrothermal method using the dried beet powder as the carbon source without additional chemical reagents and functionalization. The as-prepared CQDs are quasi-spherical carbon nanoparticles with diameters of 4–8 nm as well as surface functional groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, and exhibit good water-solubility, biocompatibility, and strong fluorescence. It is confirmed that amoxicillin (AMO) could enhance the fluorescent intensity of CQDs, the I/I₀ showed a linear correlation between the intensity of fluorescence and the concentration of AMO in a broad range. These superior properties render a potential application of the CQDs in biomedical.     

A solvent-governed surface state strategy for rational synthesis of N and S co-doped carbon dots with multicolour fluorescence

ABSTRACT

Multicolour emissive carbon dots (CDs) are widely investigated by virtue of their merits on fluorescent properties. Method on heteroatom doping assisted with various solvents has been proved efficient in achieving multiple-colour-emissive CDs, especially long-wavelength emission. Herein, a synthesis of multicolour-emissive CDs by controlled surface function is reported. By tuning the thermal-pyrolysis temperature and molar ratio of reactants, optimal emission of the resulted CDs gradually shifts from blue to yellow light with the assistance of different solvents. According to the emissive relationship dependent on excitation, fluorescence lifetimes, and FT-IR of these CDs, the different surface states participated with S and N elements on the surface of carbogenic core govern fluorescent colours of the CDs. In terms of the applications, blue CDs (B-CDs) exhibits high sensitivity for ion detections of Ag⁺ and Fe³⁺, which is further illustrated to have different quenching mechanisms each other because that these ions have the affinity interaction with different surface groups of the CDs. Moreover, blue and yellow CDs solutions are mixed with PVP water solution to fabricate white-light CDs/PVP film, which exhibits stable fluorescence with a CIE coordinate of (0.32, 0.33) and endows these CDs as potentially fluorescent nanomaterial in the solid state lighting field.     

Laser induced optical heating from Yb3+/Ho3+:Ca12Al14O33 and its applicability as a thermal probe

Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ co-doped calcium aluminate phosphor has been synthesized using solution combustion process. Multicolored (blue, green and red) strong upconversion emission (λ_exc=980 nm) due to Ho³⁺ ion is observed which shows a color tunability (from green to red) with a variation in input laser power. The color tunability has been attributed to be due to the induced heating in the local volume of the sample and the temperature produced has been estimated using the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) method. The sample shows temperature sensing behavior and more importantly the temperature could be sensed through two pairs of thermally coupled levels, one lying in the green region (⁵F₄/⁵S₂→⁵I₈) and the other in the blue region (⁵G₄/⁵G₅→⁵I₈). The temperature sensing through the blue pair of levels is novel in itself. The material thus prepared serves as temperature sensor as well as a source for the production of heat in a localized volume.     

Fluorescence and attenuation properties of Er3+ -doped phosphate-glass fibers and efficient infrared-to-visible up-conversion

Fluorescence spectra of phosphate glasses with different erbium doping have been measured. The flourescence intensity reaches its maximum at an Er³⁺-doping concentration of 0.75 mol%. When the Er³⁺ doping exceeds 0.75 mol%, the fluorescence intensity decreases due to concentration quenching. The attenuation at 1.53 µm of the fiber is 12.8 db/m. The fluorescence up-conversion of 1.064 µm Nd:YAG laser pulses into intense green 547 and 667 nm light in the fiber has been measured. The fluorescence output power of green (547 nm) and red (667 nm) light is 178 and 42 W, respectively with an excitation power of 1 W. The two signals are referred to as⁴ S _3/2 ⁴ I _{1 5/2} and⁴ F _9/2 ⁴ I _{1 5/2} transitions through two-photon absorption fluorescence.     

Gold‐Cluster‐Based Dual‐Emission Nanocomposite Film as Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensing Paper for Specific Metal Ion

A dual‐emission ratiometric fluorescent sensing film for metal ion detection is designed. This dual‐emission film is successfully prepared from chitosan, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄), and gold nanoclusters (Au NCs). Here, it is shown that the g‐C₃N₄ not only serves as the fluorescence emission source, but also enhances the mechanical and thermal stability of the film. Meanwhile, the Au NCs are adsorbed on the surface of chitosan film by the electrostatic interaction. The as‐prepared dual‐emission film can selectively detect Cu²⁺, leading to the quench of red fluorescence of Au NCs, whereas the blue fluorescence from g‐C₃N₄ persists. The ratio of the two fluorescence intensities depends on the Cu²⁺ concentration and the fluorescence color changes from orange red to yellow, cyan, and finally to blue with increasing Cu²⁺ concentration. Thus, the as‐prepared dual‐emission film can be worked as ratiometric sensing paper for Cu²⁺ detection. Furthermore, the film shows high sensitivity and selectivity, with low limit of detection (LOD) (10 ppb). It is observed that this novel gold‐cluster‐based dual‐emission ratiometric fluorescent sensing paper is an easy and convenient way for detecting metal ions. It is believed that this research work have created another avenue for the detection of metal ions in the environment.     

Ratiometric pH Sensing in Living Cells Using Carbon Dots

The ability to precisely sense physiological pH changes in the cellular environment is exceedingly difficult. Novel technologies are thus required to address this challenge. Fluorescent nanomaterials can be exploited to this effect because their optical properties can exhibit strong pH dependence. Herein, an intracellular pH-sensing probe is developed via a facile microwave-reaction synthesis method for the preparation of carbon dots (CDs) using glutathione and formamide. The CDs possess unique optical properties allowing for concomitant fluorescence in the blue and red regions of the spectrum. These dots are investigated as pH-sensors using the red fluorescence signatures at 650 and 680 nm. The two fluorescence bands respond differently following pH changes in their environment and could thus be used for ratiometric measurements. Cytotoxicity studies of the CDs in glioblastoma cells show no decrease in cell viability up to 100 μg mL⁻¹ (24 h). Fluorescence imaging reveals that the dots localize in lysosomal compartments. Moreover, they can sense changes in lysosomal pH in response to serum and amino acid starvation, as well as administration of diclofenac and metformin, drugs currently in clinical trials for combination treatments of cancer. These CDs offer a new self-referencing approach for live intracellular pH sensing in 2D- and 3D-cell models.     

One color,pulsed excited-state upconversion in YAG:Tm3+

One color red laser pumping of YAG:Tm³⁺ crystals results in a strong upconverted near ultraviolet and blue fluorescence from the excited¹ D ₂ and¹ G ₄ multiplets. It is found that under pulsed-pumping conditions the quasi-resonant excited-state absorption from the³ H ₄ multiplet is the responsible process. Analysis of the upconverted emission confirmed previous results on³ H ₄ level assignments as well as on inhomogeneous line broadening in the YAG structure.     

Fluorescent Carbon Dots Capped with PEG<Subscript>200</Subscript> and Mercaptosuccinic Acid

The synthesis and functionalization of carbon nanoparticles with PEG₂₀₀ and mercaptosuccinic acid, rendering fluorescent carbon dots, is described. Fluorescent carbon dots (maximum excitation and emission at 320 and 430 nm, respectively) with average dimension 267 nm were obtained. The lifetime decay of the functionalized carbon dots is complex and a three component decay time model originated a good fit with the following lifetimes: τ ₁ = 2.71 ns; τ ₂ = 7.36 ns; τ ₃ = 0.38 ns. The fluorescence intensity of the carbon dots is affected by the solvent, pH (apparent pK _a of 7.4 ± 0.2) and iodide (Stern-Volmer constant of 78 ± 2 M⁻¹).     

Ultrasmall Red Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters for Highly Biocompatible and Long-Time Nerve Imaging

A rapidly growing area of neuroscience demands next-generation neurofluorescent probes are fulfilling several stringent criteria, including water solubility, distinct signal-to-background ratio, anti-photobleaching, and low toxicity. Herein, a novel neurofluorescent probe based on gold nanoclusters capped with glutathione (Au-GSH) is introduced and characterized by advanced fluorescence photophysical properties composed of comparative high quantum yield (8.9%), negligible blinking, and bright fluorescence in the red spectral range (E_m = 650 nm) with sub-millisecond-scale lifetime (0.62 ms). Fluorescent performance is tested and demonstrated negligible photobleaching under exposure to ultraviolet light (365 nm, 30 W) over 4 h, immunity to variation of the microenvironment characterized by pH range of 4–10, and colloidal stability in serum over 24 h during the blood circulation. Coupled with 2.4 ± 0.9 nm ultrasmall size and good water solubility, they are superior to fluorescent proteins, quantum dots, and organic fluorescent dyes. Au-GSH are further confirmed that they can be used as a fluorescent label for in vivo nerve and brain imaging, and even after injecting Au-GSH into the rat sciatic nerve for 21 d, the red fluorescence is still preserved. This combination of favorable properties makes Au-GSH a promising candidate for neurofluorescent probes.