Barium charge transferred doped carbon dots with ultra-high quantum yield photoluminescence of 99.6% and applications

Barium doped carbon dots (Ba-CDs) with high quantum yield yellow fluorescence emission up to 99.6% were fabricated and demonstrated as promising fluorescent sensors for trace water in organic solvents, indicating their great potential as a fluorescent probe for chemical sensing. Long-emission carbon dots (CDs) is triggering immense enthusiasm on account of their intrinsic merits of high chemical stability and excellent optical properties. In this study, a facile and rapid approach was developed for the preparation of barium-doped carbon dots (Ba-CDs) with yellow fluorescence emission and high quantum yields. Surface chemistry and the chemical architecture of the Ba-CDs was revealed under various spectroscopic methods. This work provides more insights into the effects of charge transfer caused by Ba heteroatoms, which is considered as the most challenging step in the investigation on luminescence mechanism. Remarkably, the prepared Ba-CDs were successfully applied as fluorescent probes in the detection of trace water in organic solvents (ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran). Comparing with traditional fluorescent probes for water detection in organic solvents, Ba-CDs detection provides a more sensitive, much faster and more economical approach.