Ratiometric Fluorescent pH Sensing with Carbon Dots: Fluorescence Mapping across pH Levels for Potential Underwater Applications.

Ocean acidification has become a major climate change concern requiring continuous observation. Additionally, in the industry, pH surveillance is of great importance. Consequently, there is a pressing demand to develop robust and inexpensive pH sensors.

Design, Synthesis, and Photophysical Characterization of Biocompatible Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Carbazole-Coumarins for Sensing Applications.

A series of fluorescent carbazole-coumarins exhibiting good photoluminescence quantum yields and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) properties have been designed and synthetized using computer-aided density functional theory calculations. The TADF characteristics of the carbazole-coumarins were systematically explored both in solution and in the solid state, utilizing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a matrix. The study revealed that the introduction of carbazole units onto the coumarin benzene ring led to compounds with thermally induced reverse intersystem crossing and delayed fluorescence.

The void side of silica: surveying optical properties and applications of mesoporous silica.

Mesoporous silica stands out as a remarkable, low-density transparent material characterized by well-defined nanometric pore sizes. It is available in various morphologies, including monoliths, nanoparticles, and films. This material plays a pivotal role in numerous technological applications, both independently and as a component in hybrid composites, acting as a host for a diverse range of inorganic and organic materials.

Dye-Derived Red-Emitting Carbon Dots for Lasing and Solid-State Lighting.

Carbon dots are carbon-based nanoparticles renowned for their intense light-emitting capabilities covering the whole visible light range. Achieving carbon dots emitting in the red region with high efficiency is extremely relevant due to their huge potential in biological applications and in optoelectronics. Currently, photoluminescence in such an energy interval is often associated with polyheterocyclic molecular domains forming during the synthesis that, however, present low emission efficiency and issues in controlling the optical features.

Exploring the Impact of Nitrogen Doping on the Optical Properties of Carbon Dots Synthesized from Citric Acid.

The differences between bare carbon dots (CDs) and nitrogen-doped CDs synthesized from citric acid as a precursor are investigated, aiming at understanding the mechanisms of emission and the role of the doping atoms in shaping the optical properties. Despite their appealing emissive features, the origin of the peculiar excitation-dependent luminescence in doped CDs is still debated and intensively being examined. This study focuses on the identification of intrinsic and extrinsic emissive centers by using a multi-technique experimental approach and computational chemistry simulations.