High Efficiency Upconversion Photoluminescence Properties of Nitrogen Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications

The graphene quantum dots (GQDs), a zero-dimensional graphene quantum structure, have triggered intense research worldwide. GQDs possess unique optical, chemical and physical properties as compared to conventional quantum dots (QDs), such as low toxicity, biocompatibility, optical stability, chemical inertness, high photostability and good water-solubility and therefore hold great application potential in biomedical, optoelectronics and energy storage devices. The doping of GQDs with heteroatoms is one of the most effective ways to tune their photoluminescence emission and to increase quantum yield. In this study, we developed a novel approach to synthesize high-quality Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) with high quantum yield, via irradiation of s-triazene in a solution with benzene by using pulsed laser. The TEM, HRTEM, XPS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR were carried out to observe the morphology, size distribution, crystalline structure and to prove successful doping of GQDs with nitrogen atoms. To observe optical properties of as synthesized N-GQDs, the UV-vis and Photoluminescence measurements were carried out. The as-synthesized NGQDs exhibit high quality crystalline structure of graphene with an average size of about 3.7 nm. A high quantum yield was exhibited by the obtained N-GQDs as compare to the pristine GQDs. The obtained N-GQDs with oxygen-rich functional groups exhibit a strong emission and excellent upconversion PL properties. These outcomes result in an ample opportunity for the biomedical and optoelectronic applications.