Observation of fluorescence from non-functionalized carbon nanoparticles and its solvent dependent spectroscopy

► Carbon nanoparticles dispersed in common organic solvents without surface functionalization. ► Fluorescence was observed from all organic solvent dispersions. ► Solvent dependent UV-vis, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence reported. ► Steady-state fluorescence and lifetime measurements showed strong polarity and solvent structure dependence. ► Hydrodynamic radius determined was found to be independent of solvent polarity.