Ultrafast synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots via neutralization heat for bioimaging and sensing applications

Ultrafast synthesis (within 2 min) of nitrogen-doped carbon dots was achieved using neutralization heat with glucose as a precursor. The hydroxyl groups on the dots' surface from glucose make them easy to conjugate with boronic acid (BA). Dual enhancement of fluorescence was observed by nitrogen-doping with ethylenediamine and the conjugation with BA.