Alginate hydrogels are commonly used in biomedical applications and these hydrogels are usually prepared by ionic or covalent crosslinking. Here, we report a new synthesis route for photoluminescent alginate hydrogel using amine functionalized carbon nanodots (CNDs). CNDs with amine functional groups were synthesized from ortho and meta phenylenediamine by using solvothermal method. The nanodots display yellow and blue color when excited with an UV light of 365 nm. Amine groups on the nanodots react with alginate chains to form a gel. Shear modulus of the hydrogels was systematically varied by changing the concentration of CNDs. Sol-to-gel transition was monitored by <i>in situ</i> shear rheometery and FTIR spectroscopy. The hydrogels remained fluorescent active for a prolonged duration of time. Hydrogels with photoluminescent activity would be highly compatible with metal ions sensing, drug-delivery, and many more biological applications.

Carbon nanodots crosslinked photoluminescent alginate hydrogels

254th National Meeting (2017)

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