POE-Mediated Tunable Quantum Yield of Carbon Dots−Derived From Agapanthus Africanus (L.) Hoffmann Leaves

Paulo J. Nunes, Rui F.P. Pereira, S. C. Nunes, Sandra F.H. Correia, Lianshe Fu, Rute A.S. Ferreira*, Mariana Fernandes, Verónica de Zea Bermudez*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The green synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) from natural sources is a challenging goal. Herein CDs are produced from Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmann leaves by carbonization at 200/300 °C for 2/3 h. Samples are named CZ-X-Y, where Z, X, and Y represent carbonization, temperature, and time, respectively. CZ-200-3, CZ-300-2, and CZ-300-3 CDs have average sizes of 3.7 ± 0.7, 5.3 ± 1.2, and 5.1 ± 1.6 nm, respectively. Their surface, devoid of chlorophyll, contains ─OH, ─C═O, and ─C(═O)OH groups and sylvite. Isolated CZ-300-3 emits at 400 nm (excited at 260 nm) and exhibits an emission quantum yield (QY) value of 2 ± 1%. Embedding in the d-U(600)/d-(900) di-ureasil matrices resulted in transparent films with emission intensity maxima at 420/450 nm (360 nm), and QY values of 7 ± 1/16 ± 2% (400 nm). The enhancement of the QY value of the bare CDs agrees with an efficient passivation provided by the hybrid host. The hydrophilic CZ-300-3 CDs also exerted a marked surface modifying role, changing the surface roughness and the wettability of the hybrid films.

Original languageEnglish
JournalSmall
Early online dateOct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Oct 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • agapanthus africanus (L.) hoffmann leaf
  • carbon dots
  • carbonization
  • di-ureasils
  • variable weight POE chains

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