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Nano Research 2018, 11(4): 2034-2045 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-017-1820-z
Research Article | Issue | Published: 19 March 2018

Dual-mode emission of single-layered graphene quantum dots in confined nanospace: Anti-counterfeiting and sensor applications

Show Author's Information Liqian Bai1,  Ning Xue1,  Yufei Zhao2,  Xinrui Wang3,  Chao Lu1,  Wenying Shi1( )
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East RoadBeijing100029China
Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic MaterialsTechnical Institute of Physics and ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
Beijing Key Lab of Plant Resource Research and DevelopmentBeijing Technology and Business UniversityBeijing100048China
Keywords:
sensors, graphene quantum dots, confinement, anti-counterfeiting, dual-mode emission
Cite this article:
Bai L, Xue N, Zhao Y, et al. Dual-mode emission of single-layered graphene quantum dots in confined nanospace: Anti-counterfeiting and sensor applications. Nano Research, 2018, 11(4): 2034-2045. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-017-1820-z
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Abstract Full text Electronic supplementary material About this article

Engineering of the luminescent properties for graphene quantum dots (GQDs) presents two enormous challenges: 1) The bandgap of GQDs is mainly determined by structural defects (size, shape, and the fraction of sp2 and sp3 domains), which results in non-stoichiometric nature; 2) the preparation methods limit the achievement of an accurate chemical structure of GQDs, leading to many controversial explanations over the relationship between the structural defects and bandgaps. Here, single-layered GQDs with an exact structure are obtained by in-situ reaction of intercalated precursors in the confined nanospace of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Subsequently, the structure-property relationship is uncovered, demonstrating the enhanced fluorescence and activated room temperature phosphorescence of the as-prepared GQDs-LDHs, which originate from synergistic effects: 1) strong confinement provided by the nanospace of LDHs; 2) rich O-containing functional groups on the surface of GQDs resulting from LDH catalysis. Moreover, the colorless nature and dual-emission characteristics of GQDs-LDHs satisfy the preconditions as anti-counterfeiting markers for protecting valuable documents (bank notes, commercial invoices, etc.). Particularly, owing to the low toxicity of GQDs and the edible property of LDHs, the GQDs-LDHs/gelatin capsules could be the new generation of potential green anti-counterfeiting material in the field of food and drugs.


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About this article

Dual-mode emission of single-layered graphene quantum dots in confined nanospace: Anti-counterfeiting and sensor applications

Show Author's information Liqian Bai1, Ning Xue1, Yufei Zhao2, Xinrui Wang3, Chao Lu1, Wenying Shi1( )
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East RoadBeijing100029China
Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic MaterialsTechnical Institute of Physics and ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
Beijing Key Lab of Plant Resource Research and DevelopmentBeijing Technology and Business UniversityBeijing100048China

Abstract

Engineering of the luminescent properties for graphene quantum dots (GQDs) presents two enormous challenges: 1) The bandgap of GQDs is mainly determined by structural defects (size, shape, and the fraction of sp2 and sp3 domains), which results in non-stoichiometric nature; 2) the preparation methods limit the achievement of an accurate chemical structure of GQDs, leading to many controversial explanations over the relationship between the structural defects and bandgaps. Here, single-layered GQDs with an exact structure are obtained by in-situ reaction of intercalated precursors in the confined nanospace of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Subsequently, the structure-property relationship is uncovered, demonstrating the enhanced fluorescence and activated room temperature phosphorescence of the as-prepared GQDs-LDHs, which originate from synergistic effects: 1) strong confinement provided by the nanospace of LDHs; 2) rich O-containing functional groups on the surface of GQDs resulting from LDH catalysis. Moreover, the colorless nature and dual-emission characteristics of GQDs-LDHs satisfy the preconditions as anti-counterfeiting markers for protecting valuable documents (bank notes, commercial invoices, etc.). Particularly, owing to the low toxicity of GQDs and the edible property of LDHs, the GQDs-LDHs/gelatin capsules could be the new generation of potential green anti-counterfeiting material in the field of food and drugs.

Keywords: sensors, graphene quantum dots, confinement, anti-counterfeiting, dual-mode emission

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Publication history
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Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 03 July 2017
Revised: 15 August 2017
Accepted: 22 August 2017
Published: 19 March 2018
Issue date: April 2018

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany 2017

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2014CB932103), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21571014, 21575010, and 21656001), Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation (No. 2172044), and the Open Research Fund Program of Beijing Key Lab of Plant Resource Research and Development, Beijing Technology and Business University (No. PRRD-2016-YB5).

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