Aqueous Conversion of Fructose Phosphate Precursor Nanoparticles into Emissive C-Dot Composite Nanoparticles

[ZrO]$^{2+}$[F6P]$^{2}$− and [Eu(OH)]$^{2}$+[F6P]$^{2}$− precursor nanoparticles (F6P: D-fructose-6-phosphate) are converted in a one-pot, aqueous approach to C-dot@[ZrO]$^{2+}$+[HPO$_{4}$]$^{2-}$ and C-dot@[Eu(OH)]$^{2+}$[HPO$_{4}$]$^{2-}$ composite nanoparticles. Herein, the C-dots (2–3 nm) are embedded in a dense zirconyl/europium phosphate matrix. The resulting composite nanoparticles (40–50 nm) are well-dispersible in water and show blue and red emission.

A one-pot, fully water-based synthesis of blue- and red-emitting C-dots is presented. To this concern, [ZrO]$^{2+}$[F6P]$^{2}$− and [Eu(OH)]$^{2}$+[F6P]$^{2}$− precursor nanoparticles (F6P: D-fructose-6-phosphate) are prepared in water and converted to C-dot@[ZrO]$^{2+}$+[HPO$_{4}$]$^{2-}$ and C-dot@[Eu(OH)]$^{2+}$[HPO$_{4}$]$^{2-}$ composite nanoparticles in boiling water (100 °C) via microwave heating. Composition, structure, and fluorescence of the composite nanoparticles are validated by different analytical methods (e. g., FT-IR, EA, TG, DLS, SEM, TEM, EDXS). The resulting aqueous suspensions are characterized by high colloidal stability and intense emission. Specifically, C-dot@[Eu(OH)]$^{2+}$[HPO$_{4}$]$^{2-}$ exhibits Eu$^{3+}$-type red emission in water. ... mehrThe one-pot water-based synthesis with fructose-containing precursor nanoparticles and the structure of the phosphate-stabilized C-dot composite nanoparticles are reported for the first time.