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Preparation, functionalization and characterization of engineered carbon nanodots

Nature Protocols volume 14, pages 2931–2953 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Carbon-based dots (CDs) and their functionalized (nano)composites have recently attracted attention due to their seemingly easy preparation and numerous potential applications, ranging from those in the biomedical field (i.e., imaging and drug delivery) to those in (opto)electronics (i.e., solar cells and LEDs). This protocol details step-by-step procedures for synthesis, purification, functionalization and characterization of nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots (NCNDs), which we have been preparing for the past few years. First, we describe the bottom-up synthesis of NCNDs, starting with the use of molecular precursors (arginine (Arg) and ethylenediamine (EDA)) and making use of microwave-assisted hydrothermal heating. We also provide guidelines for the purification of these materials, through either dialysis or low-pressure size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Second, we outline post-functionalization procedures for the surface modification of NCNDs, such as alkylation and amidation reactions. Third, we provide instructions for the preparation of NCNDs with different properties, such as color emission, electrochemistry and chirality. Given the fast evolution of preparations and applications of CDs, issues that might arise from artifacts, errors and impurities should be avoided. In this context, the present protocol aims to provide details and guidelines for the synthesis of high-quality nanomaterials with high reproducibility, for various applications. Furthermore, specific needs might require the CDs to be prepared by different synthetic procedures and/or from different molecular precursors, but such CDs can still benefit from the purification and characterization procedures outlined in this protocol. The sample preparation takes various time frames, ranging from 4 to 18 d, depending on the adopted synthesis and purification steps.

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Fig. 1: Time-course illustration of key steps in the preparation of NCNDs.
Fig. 2: Characterization of NCNDs (Step 11).
Fig. 3: Characterization of NCND derivatives (Box 1).

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Data availability

The main data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its Supplementary Information files. Additional data are available from the corresponding authors upon request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all our colleagues, co-workers, and collaborators, whose names appear in the publications that constitute the basis of this protocol. This work was supported by the University of Trieste, INSTM, AXA Research Fund, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MINECO (project CTQ2016-76721-R), Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa program Red (101/16), ELKARTEK bmG2017 (ref: Elkartek KK-2017/00008, BOPV resolution: 8 February 2018) and the Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence Program from the Spanish State Research Agency (MDM-2017-0720).

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  1. Luka Ðorđević

    Present address: Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

  2. Francesca Arcudi

    Present address: Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, INSTM UdR Trieste, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    Luka Ðorđević, Francesca Arcudi & Maurizio Prato

  2. Carbon Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

    Maurizio Prato

  3. Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque, Bilbao, Spain

    Maurizio Prato

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  1. Luka Ðorđević
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Contributions

L.Ð. and F.A. designed and performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript. M.P. planned the research, co-wrote the manuscript and secured the funding.

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Correspondence to Luka Ðorđević, Francesca Arcudi or Maurizio Prato.

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Key references using this protocol

Arcudi, F., Đorđević, L. & Prato, M. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 55, 2107–2112 (2016): https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201510158

Carrara, S., Arcudi, F., Prato, M. & De Cola, L. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 56, 4757–4761 (2017): https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201611879

Arcudi, F. Đorđević, L. & Prato, M. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 56, 4170–4173 (2017): https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201612160

Arcudi, F. et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 56, 12097–12101 (2017): https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201704544

Rizzo, C. et al. ACS Nano 12, 1296–1305 (2018): https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.7b07529

Rigodanza, F., Đorđević, L., Arcudi, F. & Prato, M. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 57, 5062–5067 (2018): https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201801707

Ðorđević, L. et al. Nat. Commun. 9, 3442 (2018): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05561-2

Integrated supplementary information

Supplementary Figure 1 Time-course illustration of key steps in the preparation of NCNDs.

(a) Reagents and reaction setup for the synthesis of NCNDs. (b) Weigh the arginine powder in a microwave vessel (Step 1). (c-e) Add stir bar and liquids (milli-Q H2O, followed by ethylenediamine) (Steps 2-4). (f-g) Cap the reaction vessel and mix the components (Steps 5-6). (h-j) Microwave-assisted synthesis of NCNDs (Step 7). (k) Reaction vessel after microwave irradiation (after Step 7). (l-p) Filter the crude reaction through a micro-filter (o shows the filtered solution under 365 nm light) (Steps 9-10A(i)). (r-u) Dialyze against pure water of the filtered solution (Step 10A(ii-v). (v-w) Powder NCNDs after freeze-drying the dialyzed solution (Step 10A(vii-viii)).

Supplementary Figure 2 Temperature, pressure and irradiation power monitored during the microwave-assisted synthesis of NCNDs.

(a) Temperature profile (°C). (b) Pressure profile psi). (d) Power profile (Watt).

Supplementary Figure 3 Temperature, pressure and irradiation power monitored during the microwave-assisted synthesis of QCNDs.

(a) Temperature profile (°C). (b) Pressure profile psi). (d) Power profile (Watt).

Supplementary Figure 4 Temperature, pressure and irradiation power monitored during the microwave-assisted synthesis of cNDI∙CNDs.

(a) Temperature profile (°C). (b) Pressure profile psi). (d) Power profile (Watt).

Supplementary Figure 5 Temperature, pressure and irradiation power monitored during the microwave-assisted synthesis of NCNDs-R.

(a) Temperature profile (°C). (b) Pressure profile psi). (d) Power profile (Watt).

Supplementary Figure 6 Characterization of ‘filter’ and ‘dialysate’.

(a) Photographs of the filtration and dialysis steps, which samples were used for further characterization. (b) MALDI-TOF analysis of the NCNDs sample after dialysis for 48 h. (c) UV-Vis spectra in water (298 K). (d) Fluorescence spectra in water (298 K) of the sample left on the filter. (e) Fluorescence spectra in water (298 K) of the ‘dialysate’, which is the sample obtained by rotary evaporation concentration of the dialysate.

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Ðorđević, L., Arcudi, F. & Prato, M. Preparation, functionalization and characterization of engineered carbon nanodots. Nat Protoc 14, 2931–2953 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41596-019-0207-x

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