Wash-induced multicolor tuning of carbon nano-dot/micro-belt hybrids with full recyclability and stable color convertibility

Nanoscale. 2019 Aug 8;11(31):14592-14597. doi: 10.1039/c9nr04972j.

Abstract

Multicolor carbon phosphors as emerging light conversion materials, with full recyclability and stable color convertibility, are poised to accelerate the sustainable development of environment-friendly optoelectronics. Herein, we firstly report a facile strategy, combining single-step hydrothermal and differential washing methods, for the preparation of multicolor carbon emitters with nano-dot/micro-belt structures. The as-prepared hybrids exhibit excellent film-forming ability and demonstrate controllable multicolor solid-state luminescence ranging from white and green to blue light emission, by utilizing the synergistic effect between nano-dot and micro-belt structures. Particularly, the hybrid white emitters possess a robust ability of being fully recyclable without any performance degradation and formation of harmful byproducts. Moreover, light-emitting devices (LEDs) coated with the hybrid emitters show stable voltage-independent luminescence behavior in lighting applications. This work provides a simple route to modulate the optical properties of multicolor carbon-based emitters and shows great potential in the sustainable development of lighting-related products.