Detection limit

Physics

Organic chemistry

Ciprofloxacin

Antibiotics

Composite number

Conjugated system

Nuclear chemistry

Quenching (fluorescence)

Carbon fibers

Explosive material

Composite material

Quantum yield

Chemistry

Materials science

Nitro

Alkyl

Quantum mechanics

Chromatography

Antimicrobial

Polymer

Biochemistry

Photochemistry

Fluorescence

ACS Applied Bio Materials

The synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N@CDs) was accomplished by a hydrothermal process using meta- phenylenediamine as a source of carbon and nitrogen. As prepared N@CDs exhibited bright blue color fluorescence emission (λex = 340 nm and λem = 420 nm) with a quantum yield of 12%. Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus were eradicated by N@CDs with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 1 and 0.75 mg/mL, respectively. The N@CDs were also proven as nanovesicles for drug molecules where the drug release displayed a sustained time-dependent profile at the physiological condition. The release of ciprofloxacin as a model drug was governed by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating ∼60% of its release from the N@CD conjugated drug system at the physiological pH. Selective analysis of trinitrophenol (TNP), a popular explosive, was achieved by fluorescence quenching of N@CDs, compared favorably with other nitrophenols. An estimated detection limit of TNP was 2.45 μM with a linear response spanning from 1 to 75 μM.

Applications of N-Doped Carbon Dots as Antimicrobial Agents, Antibiotic Carriers, and Selective Fluorescent Probes for Nitro Explosives