The one-step preparation of green-emission carbon dots based on the deactivator-reducing reagent synergistic effect and the study on their luminescence mechanism.

The preparation of high-quality green-emission carbon dots (g-CDs) has always been the hot spot in the field of nano-materials. This paper reports the synthesis of high-quality g-CDs based on the synergistic effect between the deactivator (polyethyleneimine) and the reducing reagent (citric acid). The emission wavelength and the fluorescence intensity of the prepared CDs are adjustable by controlling the ratio of raw materials and other synthesis parameters, with quantum yields of 22.2% under optimal conditions. The g-CDs can be used as a fluorescent ink without any chemical modification. This paper further proposes the synthesis mechanism as well as the fluorescence mechanism of CDs based on the synergistic effect, laying the foundation of the synthesis and research of CDs.