Synthesis of Highly Bright Oil-Soluble Carbon Quantum Dots by Hot-Injection Method with N and B Co-Doping

Oil-soluble BN-doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were successfully prepared in a novel hot-injection method by using 1,2-Hexadecanediol as carbon precursor and surface passivation agent. The reaction time, temperature, and surface passivation agent were investigated by fluorescence measurements to understand the underlying evolution of CQDs. The doping of N and B were carried out by choosing suitable N and B source, evaluated by their fluorescence properties. The size, morphology and surface properties were observed by TEM, AFM and FTIR measurements. The quantum yields of CQDs were also calculated to investigate the enhanced fluorescence properties. The prepared oil-soluble BN-doped CQDs were easily dispersed into organic solvent, showing great potential to produce optical and sensing devices.