Highly photoluminescent blue–green carbon quantum dots synthesized via plasma solution interaction for bioimaging applications

Phạm Văn Dương; Minh Hoa Nguyen; Minh Hieu Do; Vu  Van Thu; Nguyen Dac Dien; Duc Toan Le; Anh Thi Le; Thanh Binh Nguyen

doi:10.15625/0868-3166/23622

Author affiliations

Authors

Pham Van Duong Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Giang Vo, Hanoi, Vietnam
Minh Hoa Nguyen Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
Minh Hieu Do Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Vu Van Thu Faculty of Occupational Safety and Health, Vietnam Trade Union University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Nguyen Dac Dien Faculty of Occupational Safety and Health, Vietnam Trade Union University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Duc Toan Le Natural Sciences Department, Phu Yen University, Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6399-4531
Anh Thi Le Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
Thanh Binh Nguyen Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9055-8291

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0868-3166/23622

Keywords:

carbon quantum dots, plasma solution interaction, glucose precursor, photoluminescence, quantum yield, bioimaging

Abstract

Blue (B-CQDs) and green (G-CQDs) Carbon Quantum Dots with exceptional photoluminescence were synthesized using a plasma solution interaction method, employing glucose as an environmentally friendly carbon source. The PSI process enabled rapid, catalyst-free synthesis with tunable optical properties by varying plasma exposure time. Both types of Carbon Quantum Dots consist of uniformly dispersed spherical nanoparticles (3–5 nm), with partially graphitic cores and a lattice spacing of 0.21 nm corresponding to the (100) plane of graphite. The B-CQDs emit intense blue light at 450 nm, with a quantum yield of 21%, while the G-CQDs display strong green emission at 515 nm, yielding a quantum yield of 19%. Structural and spectroscopic analyses indicate that blue emission results from intrinsic π–π* transitions within sp²-hybridized carbon domains, whereas green emission originates from surface or defect-state n–π* transitions linked to oxygen-containing groups formed during prolonged plasma treatment. Both types of CQDs exhibit excellent aqueous stability, photostability, and biocompatibility, with strong intracellular fluorescence observed in preliminary bioimaging tests. These findings underscore plasma solution interaction as an efficient, controllable method for producing color-tunable CQDs with potential for optical and biological applications.

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