g-C₃N₅-dots as fluorescence probes prepared by an alkali-assisted hydrothermal method for cell imaging

Carbon nitride materials have become one of the highly explored carbon-based nanomaterials due to their unique properties. Herein, the novel graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C₃N₅-dots) were synthesized using an alkali-assisted hydrothermal method. The proposed strategy was simple, time-saving and the entire synthetic process only takes 60 min. And the prepared g-C₃N₅-dots showed excellent dispersion and good stability in water. What is more, the g-C₃N₅-dots displayed bright blue fluorescence with a high quantum yield of 12%. It was found that the g-C₃N₅-dots exhibited peroxidase-like activity, good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity and can be successfully applied in cell imaging. The proposed method opens a new and efficient way for the preparation of fluorescent g-C₃N₅-dots and facilitates g-C₃N₅-dots for bioimaging and related biological sensing applications.