Controlled synthesis of green and blue luminescent carbon nanoparticles with high yields by the carbonization of sucrose

High yields of hydrophilic carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared by the controlled carbonization of sucrose. Green luminescent CNPs and non-luminous CNPs were effectively separated by dialysis. After surface functionalisation with PEG2000N, the non-luminous CNPs successfully emitted a blue fluorescence.