Graphene quantum dots produced by exfoliation of intercalated graphite nanoparticles and their application for temperature sensors

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have received much attention as a new class of fluorescent materials due to their unique transport phenomena and broadband absorption. Here, we present a method to produce pristine blue-luminescent GQDs from graphite nanoparticles by the intercalation of graphite nanoparticles and subsequent exfoliation in liquids. The as-synthesized GQDs are composed of highly crystalline carbon rings and show uniform size distribution ranging from 3 to 4 nm with an average thickness of similar to 1 nm. The GQDs exhibit an excitation-dependent blue photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 22.3%. Furthermore, the GQDs were explored as an active sensing material for temperature measurement. The GQD-based temperature sensors show high responsivity to temperature changes over the range 30-80 degrees C. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.