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Multifunctional carbon-based nanodots (C-dots) are synthesized using atmospheric plasma treatments involving reactive gases (oxygen and nitrogen). Surface design was achieved through one-step plasma treatment of C-dots (AC-paints) from polyethylene glycol used as a precursor. These AC-paints show high fluorescence, low cytotoxicity and excellent cellular imaging capability. They exhibit bright fluorescence with a quantum yield twice of traditional C-dots. The cytotoxicity of AC-paints was tested on BEAS2B, THLE2, A549 and hep3B cell lines. The in vivo experiments further demonstrated the biocompatibility of AC-paints using zebrafish as a model, and imaging tests demonstrated that the AC-paints can be used as bio-labels (at a concentration of <5 mg mL -1 ). Particularly, the oxygen plasma-treated AC-paints (AC-paints-O) show antibacterial effects due to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in AC-paints (at a concentration of >1 mg mL -1 ). AC-paints can effectively inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii). Such remarkable performance of the AC-paints has important applications in the biomedical field and environmental systems.

We have investigated the cytotoxic assay of Fe-aminoclay (FeAC) nanoparticles (NPs) and simultaneous imaging in HeLa cells by photoluminescent carbon nanodots (CD) conjugation. Non-cytotoxic, photostable, and CD NPs are conjugated with cationic FeAC NPs where CD NPs play a role in bio-imaging and FeAC NPs act as a substrate for CD conjugation and help to uptake of NPs into cancer cells due to positively charged surface of FeAC NPs in physiological media. As increase of CD-FeAC NPs loading in HeLa cell in vitro, it showed slight cytotoxicity at 1000 μg/mL but no cytotoxicity for normal cells up to concentration of 1000 μg/mL confirmed by two 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red (NR) assays, with further observations by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) stained confocal microscopy images, possessing that CD-FeAC NPs can be used as potential drug delivery platforms in cancer cells with simultaneous imaging. Graphical abstract CD conjugation with organo-building blocks of delaminated FeAC NPs.

Fluorescent carbon nanomaterials, especially zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanodots (CDs), are widely used in broad biological and optoelectronic applications. CDs have unique characteristics such as strong fluorescence, biocompatibility, sun-light response, and capability of mass-production. Beyond the previous green CD obtained from harmful natural substances, we report a new type of fluid-based fluorescent CD paints (C-paints) derived from polyethylene glycol (PEG; via simple ultrasound irradiation at room temperatures) and produced in quantum yields of up to ~14%. Additionally, C-paints possess a strong, UV- and visible-light-responsive photoluminescent (PL) property. Most especially, C-paints, by incorporation into a photocatalytic system, show additional roles in the emission of fluorescent light for activation of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and the resultant detoxification of most organic dyes, thus further enabling embarkation in advanced water purification.

Using a simple method of mass production of green carbon nanotags (G-tags) from harmful cyanobacteria, we developed an advanced and efficient imaging platform for the purpose of anticancer therapy. Approximately 100 grams of G-tags per 100 kilograms of harmful cyanobacteria were prepared using our eco-friendly approach. The G-tags possess high solubility, excellent photostability, and low cytotoxicity (<1.5 mg/mL for 24 h). Moreover, doxorubicin-conjugated G-tags (T-tags; >0.1 mg/mL) induced death in cancer cells (HepG2 and MCF-7) in-vitro at a higher rate than that of only G-tags while in-vivo mice experiment showed enhanced anticancer efficacy by T-tags at 0.01 mg/mL, indicating that the loaded doxorubicin retains its pharmaceutical activity. The cancer cell uptake and intracellular location of the G- and T-tags were observed. The results indicate that these multifunctional T-tags can deliver doxorubicin to the targeted cancer cells and sense the delivery of doxorubicin by activating the fluorescence of G-tags.

Fluorescent carbon nanomaterials, especially zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanodots (CDs), are widely used in broad biological and optoelectronic applications. CDs have unique characteristics such as strong fluorescence, biocompatibility, sun-light response, and capability of mass-production. Beyond the previous green CD obtained from harmful natural substances, we report a new type of fluid-based fluorescent CD paints (C-paints) derived from polyethylene glycol (PEG; via simple ultrasound irradiation at room temperatures) and produced in quantum yields of up to ~14%. Additionally, C-paints possess a strong, UV- and visible-light-responsive photoluminescent (PL) property. Most especially, C-paints, by incorporation into a photocatalytic system, show additional roles in the emission of fluorescent light for activation of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and the resultant detoxification of most organic dyes, thus further enabling embarkation in advanced water purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The T–FC was firstly synthesized by wet-chemical processing and ultrasound irradiation. [•] This T–FC exhibited higher visible-light photocatalytic and antibacterial activities. [•] The T–FC can be easily recovered from water using a magnet. [•] Moreover, the T–FC exhibits excellent photocatalytic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]