Solvothermal synthesis of green-fluorescent carbon nanoparticles and their application

A novel solvothermal approach to synthesize green-fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) was developed using L-ascorbic acid as the carbon source, glycol and triple distilled water as the solvent. The CNPs emit strong green fluorescence under UV irradiation, and the fluorescence intensity showed a good linear relationship with pH value within a certain range. Direct yeast cell labeling was achieved through cell endocytosis of these CNPs. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.