Chemiluminescence of O-Doped Carbon Nanodots Prepared in Acidic and Alkaline Conditions

The oxygen doped photoluminescent carbon nanodots (O-CDs) were prepared in the presence of the acidic or alkaline solution. Microstructural images of the produced O-CDs were studied using a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Other chemical properties were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, fluorescence, FTIR, XPS. The size of these O-CDs exhibits excellent dispersibility with a narrow distribution range (1.5 nm–4.0 nm). Yellow fluorescence was observed for HCl-treated O-CDs, the blue for NaOH-treated O-CDs. The FTIR analysis indicates there are abundant O–H, C=O, and C–O functional groups distributed on the surface of these O-CDs, rendering a great potential for the binding with the biological systems in the biosensing and bioimaging technologies.