Recently I synthesized carbon dots from plant seeds using a microwave-assisted process. I followed previous literature, and they all got powder form of carbon dots but in my case, I didn't get a dry powdered form of the carbon dots which is always in hygroscopic nature. How can I get the powder form of carbon dots?
Drying under high temperature in oven is not a convinient way due to side processes in carbon dots. Low temperatures = more time for drying. In our practice, for powder form obtaining we using lyophilization from frozen solutions. But it works in case of water. If your product dispersed in organic media, I suggest usage of rotavapor
Thanks for your suggestion. I tried in Rotavapor also but I didnt get it
If you lyophilize the carbon dots solution means, you will get powder. After microwave process, freeze dry sample in -80 degree freezer for 24hrs than kept that in lyophilizer for 48 hr cycle. At the end of the cycle, you will get carbon dot as powder.
you can use two methods. freeze drying or vacuum evaporation.
Freeze drying process involves the CDs in solution and then sublimating the solvent under vacuum. This process will leave you with a dry powder of CDs.
vacuum evaporation involves evaporating the solvent from the carbon dots under vacuum. This process can be done using a rotary evaporator or a vacuum oven.
If you are still unable to obtain a dry powder of CDs, try a different solvent. Some solvents are more hygroscopic than others, such as ethanol. Using a less hygroscopic solvent could help in preventing moisture absorption by CDs.
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