Synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles directly from active carbon via a one-step ultrasonic treatment

doi:10.1016/j.materresbull.2010.10.013

Materials Research Bulletin

Volume 46, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 147-151

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2010.10.013 Get rights and content

Abstract

Water-soluble fluorescent carbon nanoparticles were synthesized directly from active carbon by a one-step hydrogen peroxide-assisted ultrasonic treatment. The carbon nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, optical fluorescent microscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. The results showed that the surface of carbon nanoparticles was rich of hydroxyl groups resulting in high hydrophilicity. The carbon nanoparticles could emit bright and colorful photoluminescence covering the entire visible-to-near infrared spectral range. Furthermore, these carbon nanoparticles also had excellent up-conversion fluorescent properties.

Introduction

Recently, various forms of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, nanodiamond and other type carbon nanostructures, have been intensively developed not only for their fundamental scientific interests but also for many technological applications [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]. The emergence of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (FCNPs) has great potential application in the fields of nanobiotechnology and nanocatalysis [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16]. Compared to traditional quantum dots (QDs) and organic dyes, FCNPs are superior in chemical inertness, stability, potentially less toxicity, and can be modified easily [11], [12], [13]. These excellent properties make FCNPs being a promising benign fluorescent nanomaterials.

Up to now, a variety of routes for preparing FCNPs are reported, including chemical oxidation of arc-discharge single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) [10], [14], laser ablation of graphite [15], [16], [17], electrochemical oxidation of graphite or multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) [18], [19], [20], thermal oxidation of suitable molecular precursors [21], [22], [23], [24], supported routes [25], vapor deposition of soot [11], [26], proton-beam irradiation of nanodiamonds [27], [28] or microwave methods [29] and so on. However, these methods usually involve complex processes, expensive precursors, and severe synthetic conditions, which are unlikely to be extended significantly in the near future. Consequently, the convenient and large scaled fabrication of FCNPs is the urgent challenge in nanotechnology and nanochemistry.

Herein, we report a facile and green method to prepare FCNPs by one-step ultrasonic treatment of active carbon in hydrogen peroxide solution. These FCNPs have excellent water-solubility, strong visible emission, and up-conversion photoluminescence (UPL) properties. Compared with previous work, the raw materials of present synthetic strategy are inexpensive, commercial available, and easy to obtain. Particularly, such a one-step process is so simple and can be easily carried out on an enlarged scale.

Section snippets

Experiment

All the chemicals were purchased from Sigma–Aldrich and Beijing Chemical Reagent (Beijing, China), and were used as received. In a typical experiment, a suitable amount (4.0 g) of active carbon was added to hydrogen peroxide (30%, 70 mL) to form a black suspension. Then the suspension was given a 300 W (40 kHz) ultrasonic treatment for 2 h at room temperature. After that, the dilute suspension was vacuum-filtrated using a mixed cellulose ester membrane with 25 nm pores (Millipore) to remove the

Results and discussion

Fig. 1a shows the TEM image of obtained FCNPs, from which we can see that these small FCNPs are well dispersed and their diameters are in the range of 5–10 nm. Also the size histogram (Fig. S1) and the AFM image (Fig. S2) of the FCNPs are provided to prove that the FCNPs are well dispersed. Control experiments indicate that the ultrasonication time has great effect on the morphology of the FCNPs. When the ultrasonic treatment went along for 30 min, big carbon nanoparticles with irregular were

Conclusions

In summary, the method reported herein provides a new, green and convenient way to prepare a large amount of FCNPs by one-step ultrasonic treatment of active carbon. The FCNPs exhibit stable and strong visible emission and excellent UPL properties. Combining free dispersion in water (without any surface modifications) and attractive PL properties, this kind of FCNPs should serve as a promising candidate for a new type fluorescence marker, optical imaging and related biomedical applications.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2010CB934500 and 2006CB933000), Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (20801010, 20803008, 201073127 and 201071104), and A Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of PR China (FANEDD) (No. 200929).

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¹: These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Short communicationSynthesis of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles directly from active carbon via a one-step ultrasonic treatment

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Experiment

Results and discussion

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

Appl. Catal. A: Gen.

Nature

Nature

Chem. Mater.

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

Chem. Commun.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

J. Phys. Chem. C

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

J. Phys. Chem. C

J. Phys. Chem. B

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

J. Mater. Chem.

Chem. Commun.

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

Short communication
Synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles directly from active carbon via a one-step ultrasonic treatment