quantum dots (CQDs) are nanomaterials with a particle size range of 2 to 10 nm.
CQDs have a wide range of applications such as medical diagnostics, bio-imaging, biosensors,
coatings, solar cells, and photocatalysis. Although the effect of various experimental parameters,
such as the synthesis method, reaction time, etc., have been investigated, the effect of different
feedstocks on CQDs has not been studied yet. In this study, CQDs were synthesized from hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, and microcrystalline cellulose via hydrothermal carbonization at 220 ◦C
for 30 min of residence time. The produced CQDs showed green luminescence behavior under
the short-wavelength UV light. Furthermore, the optical properties of CQDs were investigated
using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and emission spectrophotometer, while the morphology and
chemical bonds of CQDs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Results showed that all CQDs produced from various
precursors have absorption and emission properties but these optical properties are highly dependent
on the type of precursor. For instance, the mean particle sizes were 6.36 ± 0.54, 5.35 ± 0.56, and
3.94 ± 0.60 nm for the synthesized CQDs from microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxymethylfurfural,
and furfural, respectively, which appeared to have similar trends in emission intensities. In addition,
the synthesized CQDs experienced different functionality (e.g., C=O, O-H, C-O) resulting in different
Please read my recent published paper on "Influence of carbon dot synthetic parameters on photophysical and biological properties". I have comprehensively studied how/why synthetic parameter can effect the optical properties of CDs. Let me know if you need the full text.
First of all, You can not generalize anything about carbon dot because of abundant precursors and synthesis methods. You may find the following article useful for clarification.
Article Are carbon dots worth the tremendous attention it is getting...