One-step synthesis of chiral carbon quantum dots and their enantioselective recognition

Abstract

Chiral carbon quantum dots (<sc>l</sc>-carbon quantum dots, <sc>l</sc>-CQDs; and <sc>d</sc>-carbon quantum dots, <sc>d</sc>-CQDs) were synthesized through the facile hydrothermal treatment of carbonated citric acid and <sc>l</sc>-cysteine (or <sc>d</sc>-cysteine).