One-step synthesis of high quantum-yield and excitation-independent emission carbon dots for cell imaging

•A facile and simple strategy for synthesizing high-fluorescent CDs was established.•CDs showed high quantum-yield and excitation-independent emission behavior.•CDs exhibited potential for cell imaging and fluorescent staining.

Here a facile and economical one-step approach for synthesizing high quantum-yield (about 80.3%) and water-soluble carbon dots has been well established, while citric acid (CA) and glutathione (GSH) serve as precursors. Specifically the synthesized CCA+GSH dots described here existed in tunable diameters of 2.5–3 nm, and exhibited bright blue fluorescence together with excitation-independent emission behavior. Significantly, this proposed carbon dots with low toxicity may provide potential to broaden avenues for various applications in bioimaging and beyond.

Graphical abstractA facile and economical one-step approach for synthesizing high quantum-yield (80.3%) and water-soluble carbon dots has been well established, while citric acid and glutathione serving as precursors. Significantly, the CDs were employed for cell imaging and fluorescent staining.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide