Application of high-efficiency green fluorescent carbon dots prepared by acid catalysis in multicolour LEDs

Acidic reagents play an important role in the preparation of carbon dots (CDs). Therefore, we prepared efficient green fluorescent CDs by potassium bisulfate, acetic acid and hydrochloric acid catalysis and discussed why the acid catalyst induced a fluorescence redshift and improved the quantum yield of the CDs. Furthermore, the concentration-dependent photoluminescence behaviour of the CDs was characterized. CD/PVA composites emitting green to yellow light were obtained by exploiting the fluorescence tunability of CDs. Based on different light-emitting diode substrates, green, yellow and white light-emitting diodes with excellent performance were prepared.

Automated summary

In this study, efficient green fluorescent carbon dots were prepared using acid catalysts, and the mechanism of acid-catalyzed fluorescence redshift and improved quantum yield of CDs was discussed. By manipulating the fluorescence tunability of CDs, LED emitting different spectra with excellent performance were successfully prepared.