Synthesis and study of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for enhancement of luminescence intensity of CQD@LaPO4:Eu3+ nanocomposite.

The carbon nanodots are the newly emerging areas of research which have applications in many fields such as sensors, catalysts, bioimaging etc. Their excellent photoluminescence emission in visible region has prompted many researchers to explore new synthesis routes and precursors for better quantum yield. In this work carbon quantum dots are synthesized by using aloe vera biomass by facile carbonization process. The aqueous solution of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) shows blue light emission upon excitation by 365 nm ultra violet radiation. The field effect scanning electron microscopy images showed CQDs as spherical quantum dots of the size around 10 nm. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) bright field images confirmed the size of the CQDs. The CQDs thus prepared can be used for bioimaging of plant cells and as an ink for security printing applications. A CQD@LaPO 4 :Eu3+ nanocomposite has been prepared and its photoluminescence property has been studied. The increased photoluminescence intensity of composite can be attributed to Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) from CQDs to Eu3+. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) has been done using aloe vera biomass by facile carbonization method. • The water soluble CQDs can be used for Plant imaging. • The CQD@LaPO 4 :Eu3+ nanocomposite was synthesized. • The addition of CQDs enhances the photoluminescence intensity of composite remarkably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]