During my research on the hydrothermal synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) from green tea, I observed that the synthesized CDs exhibit green emission in deionized water but show different emission colors when dispersed in ethanol.
Dear Wasif Ullah Mohmand
The solvent-dependent photoluminescence behavior can be attributed to several factors, primarily influenced by solvent polarity and interactions with surface functional groups. Solvent polarity affects the energy levels of the excited states of the luminescent material, potentially leading to shifts in emission wavelengths or changes in quantum yield due to solvatochromic effects. Additionally, specific solvent-molecule interactions, such as hydrogen bonding or dipole-dipole interactions, can alter the electronic structure or aggregation state of the material, further modulating its photoluminescence properties. Surface functional groups may also play a role by interacting with the solvent, leading to changes in surface passivation, charge transfer, or energy transfer processes, all of which can significantly impact the photoluminescence behavior. Thus, the combined influence of solvent polarity and surface chemistry is critical in determining the observed luminescence characteristics.
I hope this helps.
Thank you so much for helping me clear my doubts! I really appreciate it.
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