Selenium-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Free-Radical Scavenging

Heteroatom doping is an effective way to adjust the fluorescent properties of carbon quantum dots. However, selenium-doped carbon dots have rarely been reported, even though selenium has unique chemical properties such as redox-responsive properties owing to its special electronegativity. Herein, a facile and high-output strategy to fabricate selenium-doped carbon quantum dots (Se-CQDs) with green fluorescence (quantum yield 7.6%) is developed through the hydrothermal treatment of selenocystine under mild conditions. Selenium heteroatoms endow the Se-CQDs with redox-dependent reversible fluorescence. Furthermore, free radicals such as COH can be effectively scavenged by the Se-CQDs. Once Se-CQDs are internalized into cells, harmful high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells are decreased. This property makes the Se-CQDs capable of protecting biosystems from oxidative stress.