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Polymerization-Driven Photoluminescence in Alkanolamine-Based C-Dots

Authors :
Róbert Ludmerczki
Luigi Stagi
Stefania Mura
Manuela Meloni
Luca Malfatti
Plinio Innocenzi
Maria Francesca Casula
Carlo Maria Carbonaro
Dóra Bogdán
István M. Mándity
Source :
Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany). 27(7)
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs), a peculiar type of carbon dots, show extremely high quantum yields, making them very attractive nanostructures for application in optics and biophotonics. The origin of the strong photoluminescence of CPDs resides in a complicated interplay of several radiative mechanisms. To understand the correlation between CPD processing and properties, the early stage formation of carbonized polymer dots has been studied. In the synthesis, citric acid monohydrate and 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol have been thermally degraded at 180 °C. The use of an oil bath instead of a more traditional hydrothermal reactor has allowed the CPD properties to be monitored at different reactions times. Transmission electron microscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy have revealed the formation of polymeric species with amide and ester bonds. Quantum chemistry calculations have been employed to investigate the origin of CPD electronic transitions. At short reaction times, amorphous C-dots with 80 % quantum yield, have been obtained.

Details

ISSN :
15213765
Volume :
27
Issue :
7
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....cebf76fc5c61764e72d759c99fe70921