Amorphous polymeric carbon dots have great potential as fluorescent imaging agents based on their high quantum yield and straightforward synthesis from benign precursors. However, the lack of fundamental understanding of the structure contributing to the fluorescent emission has hindered rational design. This presentation will focus on recent work identifying the unexpected small molecule fluorophore responsible for the luminescent behavior of the most commonly used carbon dot formulation, and the important role of aggregation-induced fluorescence in that performance, including extensive experimental and computational characterization. With good understanding of the luminescence mechanism, the materials chemistry field can move forward with rational design of these promising nanomaterials.

Amorphous polymeric carbon dots: green imaging agents

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