Synthesis of luminescent 3D microstructures formed by carbon quantum dots and their self-assembly properties

Abstract

We report in this communication the synthesis of star-shaped carbon quantum dots–(poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) conjugates that self-assemble into microstructures and retain the characteristic emission properties of the native dots. Dots were used either as an initiator to give a daisy-like peptide–polymer structure or as capping agents towards more elaborated hybrid nanostructures.