One-Pot Synthesis of Trichromatic Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Printing and Imaging

As a type of carbon-based nanomaterial, the most prominentfeatureof carbon dots (CDs) is their fluorescence properties. In this work,blue, green, and red water-dispersible CDs with trichromatic propertieswere prepared by a microwave method using corn starch, citric acid, p-phenylenediamine, and urea. The emission wavelengths ofthe CDs at the same excitation wavelength were 423, 524, and 621 nm,respectively. The morphological characteristics and optical propertiesof the three CDs were characterized, and the mechanism that drivesthe specific color of CDs was analyzed. The experimental results showedthat white fluorescence with CIE color coordinates of (0.33, 0.34)and a series of tunable fluorescent colors could be obtained by adjustingthe mixing ratio of blue, green, and red CDs, and multicolor polyvinylalcohol fluorescent films were synthesized using CDs as pigments.At the same time, the printing effect was realized by an inkjet printer.

Automated summary

In this study, blue, green, and red water-dispersible carbon dots (CDs) with trichromatic properties were prepared and analyzed for their morphological characteristics and optical properties. The results showed that adjustable fluorescent colors and white emission could be achieved by adjusting the mixing ratio of CDs, and multicolor polyvinyl alcohol fluorescent films were synthesized using CDs as pigments.