Carbon nanodots are fluorescent particles studied for their distinct photoluminescent properties and photostability. With a diverse distribution of sizes, carbon nanodots have shown broad excitation wavelength dependent fluorescence emission in the visible range. Although other methods for synthesizing nanodots have been established, a combustion based strategy is used. This strategy permits higher quantum yields than previously reported methods, and allows collection in multiple solvents.<br/><br/>Nanodots have been functionalized in a variety of ways to achieve different luminescent properties. In this research, the addition of bromine and/or iodine to the nanodots induces spin-orbit coupling, yielding phosphorescent nanodot character. The phosphorescent yield is maximized through varying functionalization methods, and the resultant singlet oxygen generation has been explored. Preliminary experiments have shown brominated nanodots to generate singlet oxygen. The unique characteristics of the new heavy atom carbon nanodots make them a prime candidate for sterilization applications through singlet oxygen generation.

Brominated and iodinated < 10 nm carbon nanodots

254th National Meeting (2017)

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