One-step hydrothermal synthesis of carbon dots-polymer composites with solid-state photoluminescence

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) and CDs-polymer composites were one-step synthesized in a hydrothermal process using hexamethylenetetramine and polycarbonate as precursors. Their optical properties and the application as solid-state phosphors towards white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were thoroughly investigated. CDs solutions exhibit strong yellow emission under blue illumination and possess excitation-independent luminescent behavior. Owing to precursor polymerization, CDs-polymer composites were synthesized in one step. The dried CDs-polymer composite powders exhibit excellent optical stability and no luminescence quenching was observed. Under light blue illumination, the powders show broad yellow luminescence with the peak wavelength centered at 550 nm and PL quantum yield of 14.86%. For their practical applications, stable white light emission was demonstrated by coating a 455 nm blue LED with the powders. Our research offers a valuable reference for growing CDs-polymer composites in a facile, low-cost and low-temperature hydrothermal process and developing white LEDs with light blue LEDs and metal-free phosphors.