Surface functionalized carbogenic quantum dots

A novel method of synthesizing surface functionalized carbogenic nanoparticles, with unique optical properties, using thermal carbonization of suitable molecular precursors is discussed. These carbogenic nanoparticles have an average size of less than 10 nm and posses unique optical properties of fluoresce when stimulated with a wide range of excitation wavelength. The monodisperse nanoparticles are obtained by a single step pyrolysis or thermal decomposition of either citrate or 4-aminoantipyrine precursors. The carbon source is selected on the basis of its ability to afford the practically insoluble pyrolytic products. Hydrothermal conditions were preferred for the evaporation of experimental solution in air because of the higher sensitivity of ligand against degradation. Siemens XD-500 diffractometer was used to record the X-ray diffraction pattern, while the absorption optical spectra was obtained using a UV/Vis spectrophotometer.