Surface modification of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots for enhanced functionalities

Van Duong Pham; Anh Thi Le; Minh Hieu Do; Thu Huong Le Thi; Duc Toan Nguyen; Hong Minh Pham; Trong Tuyen Nguyen; Dinh Lam Nguyen; Minh Hoa Nguyen; Thanh Binh Nguyen

doi:10.15625/0868-3166/21469

Author affiliations

Authors

Van Duong Pham Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4974-5802
Anh Thi Le Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam & Faculty of Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4503-3968
Minh Hieu Do Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Thu Huong Le Thi Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Duc Toan Nguyen Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Hong Minh Pham Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6932-886X
Trong Tuyen Nguyen Vietnam-Hungary Industrial University, 16 Xuan Khanh, Son Tay, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Dinh Lam Nguyen Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology VNU-University of Engineering and Technology Hanoi, 11310, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4349-6830
Minh Hoa Nguyen Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8257-6032
Thanh Binh Nguyen Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0868-3166/21469

Keywords:

Microplasma, nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots, optical properties, surface modification

Abstract

A facile and controllable one-step atmospheric pressure microplasma method was employed to synthesize nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with tunable optical properties. The N-CQDs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV‒Vis absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. HRTEM revealed uniformly distributed spherical nanoparticles with a graphite-like structure. FTIR confirmed effective nitrogen doping, enhancing chemical stability. UV‒Vis spectroscopy revealed redshifted absorption peaks, indicating improved electronic interactions and a reduced bandgap (4.05 eV) compared to those of undoped CQDs (4.18 eV). PL analysis revealed excitation-dependent emission and a significantly higher photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 33.09%. These results suggest that N-CQDs hold promise for applications in optoelectronics and bioimaging, providing a foundation for further optimization in future studies.

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