Synthesis Mechanisms, Structural Models, and Photothermal Therapy Applications of Top-Down Carbon Dots from Carbon Powder, Graphite, Graphene, and Carbon Nanotubes

In this study, top-down syntheses of carbon dots (CDs) from four different carbon precursors, namely, carbon nano powders, graphite, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, were carried out. Systematic study demonstrated that the optical properties and surface functionalities of the CDs were quite similar and mainly influenced by the synthesis method, while the sizes, morphologies, chemical compositions, and core structures of the CDs were heavily influenced by the carbon precursors. On the basis of these studies, the formation processes and structural models of these four top-down CDs were proposed. The cell cytotoxicity and photothermal conversion efficiency of these CDs were also carefully evaluated, demonstrating their potential applications in photothermal therapy.

Automated summary

In this study, top-down syntheses of carbon dots (CDs) from four different carbon precursors were conducted. The optical properties and surface functionalities of the CDs showed similarity and were mainly affected by the synthesis method, whereas the sizes, morphologies, chemical compositions, and core structures of the CDs were heavily influenced by the carbon precursors. The formation processes and structural models of these CDs were proposed based on the systematic study. Furthermore, the cell cytotoxicity and photothermal conversion efficiency of the CDs were evaluated, demonstrating their potential applications in photothermal therapy.