Controllable synthesis and Photoluminescence (PL) of amorphous and crystalline carbon nanoparticles

Carbon nanoparticles with both amorphous and crystalline structures have been prepared by irradiating carbon black in absolute ethanol using millisecond-pulsed laser. The structures of carbon nanoparticles produced in the experiment are determined by laser power density. Amorphous nanoparticles (A-nanoparticles) can be produced below 105 W/cm2 while the formation of crystalline nanoparticles (C-nanoparticles) requires above 106 W/cm2. Both A- and C-nanoparticles can emit strong visible light, but A-nanoparticles show multiband emission in the blue region. The possible formation mechanism of A- and C-nanoparticles and the origin of their luminescence are given in the paper.

► Amorphous and crystalline carbon nanoparticles are synthesized by laser irradiation.
► Structure control of carbon nanoparticle is realized by tuning laser power density.
► Photoluminescence behaviors of carbon nanoparticles depend on their structures.