Effect of solvent acidity and basicity on optical properties of carbon dots

This paper presents the study of the influence of molecules of six solvents with different acidity and basicity on the optical properties of carbon dots. Analysis of the obtained IR absorption spectra, optical density spectra and photoluminescence spectra of carbon dots in solvents showed a significant dependence of the quantum yield of photoluminescence and the energy of vibrational transitions of the surface groups of carbon dots on the acidity of the solvent. The obtained results are explained by the strengthening of hydrogen bonds between fluorophores and solvent molecules with the increase of acidity.