The roles of self–absorption and radiative energy transfer in photoluminescence of N–doped carbon nanodots in solution

J Zhang,Y L Tang,X Z Lao,Y T Bao,Z X Gan,Z C Su,S J Xu,L Yang,Y Cui,G Hu

doi:10.1063/1.5078443

Abstract

Luminescent carbon nanodots (CDs) are attracting great interests due to their unique properties in physics and chemistry. In this study we present the experimental evidences of the significant roles of self–absorption and radiative energy transfer in the photoluminescence process of N–doped CDs in water. It is found that the PL spectra, especially the relative intensity between the UV and visible bands, which are the major spectral structures, show a distinctive dependence on the concentrations of CDs, and can be well understood with the well–known Beer–Lambert law. These findings could be very helpful to deepen the existing understanding of the complex luminescence mechanisms of CDs.

Highlights

The luminescence mechanisms, have not yet been fully understood.[27–31] it is of great scientific interests to investigate the nature of luminescence and some fundamental photophysical processes in carbon nanodots (CDs)
In this study we present the experimental evidences of the significant roles of self–absorption and radiative energy transfer in the photoluminescence process of N–doped CDs in water
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization was performed on a JEOL–2100F transmission electron microscope

Summary

Introduction

The luminescence mechanisms, have not yet been fully understood.[27–31] it is of great scientific interests to investigate the nature of luminescence and some fundamental photophysical processes in CDs.

Results

Conclusion