Engineering quantum carbon dots unveiling quantum wave entanglement wave function on enamel substrate: A relativistic...

As artificial atoms, quantum dots are widely used in quantum information research since their individual energy levels may be precisely controlled using gate voltages. The purpose of the study was to modify carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and evaluate its effects on the structure, crystal orientation and mechanical properties of the enamel substrate along with antibacterial properties of CQDs.

Enamel specimens of 4 mm × 4 mm × 3 mm were cut and CQD solution was dialyzed in deionized water mixed with urea solution and placed in microwave system (800 W) to obtain *CQD_0.1 %^-, **CQD_0.2 %^-, ***CQD_0.3 %^-, and *****CQD_0.5 % for enamel blocks to be immersed for 2 weeks. X-ray diffraction analysis and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to determine degree of phase purity. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for imaging of CQDs and treated enamel, with zeta potential measured with Zetasizer. Raman spectra was acquired with spectral range of 400-2000 cm^-1. Atomic force microscopy was performed with a peak force set at 200 nN. Lactobacillus biofilm was prepared on treated enamel substrates and analysed using confocal, scanning electron microscopy and TEM.

DFT calculations summarised improved lattice parameters of HAp***CQD_0.3 %^- and HAp***CQD_0.5 %^-. Zeta potential is least for salineS and is maximum for *****CQD_0.5 %^- distributed system. The salineS, and *CQD_0.1 %^- groups had comparable v₁PO₄³⁻ value, indicating consistent phosphate intensities. TEM successfully verified carbon dots as spherical. Enamel crystals aligned their c-axis perpendicular to the electron beam within 1° with CQDs treated specimens exhibiting misoriented-crystals. *****CQD_0.5 %^- group had highest elastic modulus and nano hardness with maximum shear stress. Calculated bond length and angles using XRD show higher measures (p < 0.05) in all CQD groups. *****CQD_0.5 %^- exhibited a fibre texture pattern with an orientational distribution resembling an angle distortion. Most bacteria in the biofilms fluoresced red in CQD groups with no colony chain formations observed with *****CQD_0.5 %^- group. CQDs assemblies were observed to cause explosive lysis through loss of cell integrity.

*****CQD_0.5 %^- modified enamel substrate displayed significant crystallite changes providing a novel option for fabrication of diverse functional CQDs aimed at modification of enamel tissue while possessing optimum antimicrobial properties.