A facile synthesis of self-doped carbon dots from 2-aminoterephthalic acid and their applications

Self-doped carbon dots with N elements (N-CDs) are successfully prepared through one-pot hydrothermal carbonization strategy by using 2-aminoterephthalic acid as a new precursor. The as-prepared N-CDs show a size of 5-10 nm and display wavelength-independent fluorescence. Their maximum excitation and emission wavelength are 340 and 423 nm, respectively. They demonstrate a highly selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+ ions in the range of 5-100 mu M via an effective fluorescence quenching mechanism. Furthermore, the cotton fabrics treated by these N-CDs have excellent ultraviolet (UV)-protective property. Therefore, they have potential to be used for the detection of Fe3+ ions, the UV fluorescent ink and the UV protection for cotton fabrics.