Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles: electrochemical synthesis and their pH sensitive photoluminescence properties

Abstract

Highly fluorescent carbon nanoparticles were synthesized directly from ethanol by a one-step sodium hydroxide-assisted electrochemical treatment. These nanoparticles could emit bright and colorful photoluminescence covering the entire visible spectral range and had excellent up-conversion fluorescent, stable ionic, long fluorescence lifetime and pH-sensitive photoluminescence properties.