Polyol-mediated C-dot formation showing efficient Tb3+/Eu3+ emission†
Abstract
C-dots (3–5 nm in diameter) obtained by most simple heating of polyols (glycerol, diethylene glycol and PEG 400) show intense blue and green emission (50% quantum yield). Upon modification with TbCl3/EuCl3, energy transfer from the C-dots to the rare-earth metal results in line-type Tb3+ (green)/Eu3+ (red) emission with quantum yields up to 85%.