Facile synthesis, high fluorescence and flame retardancy of carbon dots. (30th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Chang; Li, Hongying; Cheng, Rui; Guo, Jiazhuang; Li, Guo-Xing; Li, Qing; Wang, Cai-Feng; Yang, Xiaoning; Chen, Su
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials science & technology. Volume 104(2022)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2022-03-30
• Subjects: Carbon dots -- Fluorescence -- Flame retardancy -- Molecular dynamics simulation; Metals -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials science; Metals; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.06.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1005-0302

Abstract

Highlights: New synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) with high quantum yield of 86% is demonstrated. Integration of CDs and polymers forms highly fluorescent supraballs and patterns. CDs show superior flame retardancy for highly flammable polymeric foams and fibers. Molecular dynamics simulation is conducted for flame retardancy behavior of CDs. Abstract: Facile strategy enabling the fabrication of carbon dots (CDs) with favorable performance useful for various applications is highly desirable. Here, we report the fabrication of highly fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) towards sensitive metal ion detection, brightly fluorescent printing pattern, as well as green flame retardants for synthetic polymeric materials. CDs are synthesized by solvothermal treatment of polypropylene carbonate (PPC) with ethylenediamine, and the quantum yield of CDs could increase from 30% to 86% by further adding trace of citric acid. The abundant functional groups on the surface of CDs allow CDs well incorporated into polymers to form CD-loaded polystyrene (PS) microspheres, which are employed to construct fluorescent supraballs via triphase microfluidic technique and used as "inks" for uniform fluorescent patterns. Interestingly, the resultant CDs show good flame retardancy for highly flammable polymeric foams and fibers. The CDs surpass previously reported flame-retardant additives, to show excellent combustion resistance that the addition of 20 wt% CDs causes 75% decrease in the peak of heat release rate (P-HRR) for polyurethane (PU) foams. Significantly, a molecular dynamics simulation process for PU/CDs combustion is constructed. This work may spur the preparation and application of high-performance carbon-based nanomaterials. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract