Large-Scale Ultrasonic Fabrication of White Fluorescent Carbon Dots

Abstract

We first used oligomer polyamide resin as carbon source to prepare carbon dots (CDs) that can emit white fluorescence via one step ultrasound at room temperature. We have had a further understanding in the surface morphology and chemical characteristics of the CDs by performing TEM, XPS, XRD, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. It has been found that such carbon dots have good dispersion, low crystallinity, rich surface functional groups, and easy large-scale production. The quantum yield of the white fluorescent CDs was further enhanced from 3.3% to 28.3% by adding a silane coupling agent as a co-passivating agent and conducting ultrasonic treatment. We successfully prepared white-light-emitting diodes using these carbon dots as light conversion materials. To further broaden the applications of white fluorescent carbon dots, we employed the as-prepared CD solution as ink to prepare luminescent patterns, along with favorable versatile effect.