Synthesis, photoluminescence and bio-targeting applications of blue graphene quantum dots

Chemical derived graphene oxide, an atomically thin sheet of graphite with two-dimensional construction, offers interesting physical, electronic, thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties that are currently being explored for advanced physics electronics, membranes, and composites. Herein, we study graphene quantum dots (GQD) with the blue photoluminescence under various parameters. The GQD samples were prepared at different temperatures, and the blue photoluminescence intensity of the solution improved radically as the heating temperatures increased. Concerning PL peak and intensity of the quantum dots, the results demonstrated dependence on time under heating, temperature of heating, and pH adjusted by the addition of sodium hydroxide. After hydrothermal synthesis routes, the functional groups of graphene oxide were altered the morphology showed the stacking configuration, and self-assembled structure of the graphene sheets with obvious wrinkles appeared at the edge structures. In addition, absorption, PL, and PLE spectra of the graphene quantum dots increase with different quantities of sodium hydroxide added. Finally, using GQD to target PNTIA cells was carried out successfully. High uptake efficiency and no cytotoxic effects indicate graphene quantum dots can be suitable for bio-targeting.