One-step solvent-free synthesis of carbon dot-based layered composites exhibiting color-tunable photoluminescence

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 12; no. 14; pp. 8283 - 8289
• Main Authors: Uchida, Junya, Takahashi, Yuka, Katsurao, Takumi, Sakabe, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 15.03.2022; The Royal Society of Chemistry
• Subjects: Carbon; Carbon dots; Carbonization; Chemistry; Clay minerals; Color; Inorganic compounds; Laminates; Luminescence; Multilayers; Optical properties; Particulate composites; Phloroglucinol; Photoluminescence; Solvents
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ra00312k

We here report a practical and green approach to the development of luminescent composites through in situ solvent-free formation of carbon dots on layered inorganic compounds. The composites exhibit higher solid-state photoluminescence than those prepared by mixing of synthesized carbon dots and layered clay minerals. Tuning of the emission color of the composites has also been achieved by the addition of small molecules into phloroglucinol as starting materials for carbonization. The carbon dots synthesized in clay compounds in the solvent-free conditions are well-dispersed to obtain homogeneous composites. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that highly luminescent carbon dots are formed by carbonization in the presence of layered inorganic compounds. The one-step solvent-free approach presented in this work may allow not only facile, economical, and sustainable production of nanostructured carbon dot-based composites but also improvement of their luminescence properties. A practical and green approach to the development of color-tunable luminescent composites through in situ solvent-free synthesis of carbon dots on layered inorganic compounds is reported.