Structural and Optical Properties of N-Doped and B-Doped Carbon Dots

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) demonstrate unique luminescence properties due to conjugated π domains of the sp2/sp3 hybridized carbon core, quantum-size effects, and passivation of CD surfaces by functional groups. In this work we present hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped and boron-doped CDs, their morphological, structural, optical characteristics, and luminescent properties. The CDs are first synthesized from trans-aconitic acid. X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopy data indicate that prepared CDs contain nitrogen and boron atoms. The photoluminescence quantum yield of N-doped and B-doped CDs is 26% and 9%, respectively.