Citation: Yuecheng ZHANG, Fan YANG, Shiyu ZHANG, Chengjun MA, Rui TIAN, Xuehua SUN, Haoyu LI, Lingbo SUN, Hongyan MA. B-doped carbon quantum dots with long-afterglow room-temperature phosphorescence: Applications in information encryption and humidity sensing[J]. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, ;2025, 41(7): 1361-1370. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240415 shu

B-doped carbon quantum dots with long-afterglow room-temperature phosphorescence: Applications in information encryption and humidity sensing

Yuecheng ZHANG ¹ ,
Fan YANG ¹ ,
Shiyu ZHANG ¹ ,
Chengjun MA ¹ ,
Rui TIAN ¹ ,
Xuehua SUN ¹ ,
Haoyu LI ¹ ,
Lingbo SUN ^2,, ,
Hongyan MA ^1,,

1.
Yan′an Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology and Detection, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yan′an University, Yan′an, Shaanxi 716000, China
2.
Yan′an Medical College of Yan′an University, Yan′an, Shaanxi 716000, China

Corresponding author: Lingbo SUN, lingbosun@yau.edu.cn Hongyan MA, mahy6614@163.com
Received Date: 18 November 2024
Revised Date: 7 May 2025

Figures(7)

In this study, boric and benzoic acid (BZA) were used as precursors to synthesize boron- doped room-temperature phosphorescent carbon quantum dots (B - CQDs - BZA) through a one-step pyrolysis process. The morphology, structure, and luminescent properties of B-CQDs-BZA were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy absorption, fluorescence, and phosphorescence spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the synthesized B-CQDs-BZA primarily consisted of amorphous carbon, with a particle size ranging from 2.0 to 4.5 nm. Upon irradiation with ultraviolet light at 254 or 302 nm, B-CQDs-BZA exhibited a blue phosphorescence signal that persisted for up to 20 s, with a measured lifetime as long as 2.09 s. This method is simple, rapid, and universally applicable, enabling the synthesis of room - temperature phosphorescent CQDs from diverse precursor materials. Leveraging the exceptional room-temperature phosphorescence lifetime of B-CQDs-BZA, these materials can be effectively employed in time - resolved anti - counterfeiting and information encryption. Moreover, based on the quenching effect of water on B-CQDs-BZA, these materials can be further utilized for determining environmental humidity.
- room-temperature phosphorescence,
- carbon quantum dot,
- information encryption,
- humidity
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