Rupturing C60 Molecules into Graphene-Oxide-like Quantum Dots: Structure, Photoluminescence, and Catalytic Application

Guanxiong Chen, Zhiwen Zhuo, Kun Ni, Na Yeon Kim, Yuan Zhao, Zongwei Chen, Bin Xiang, Lihua Yang, Qun Zhang, Zonghoon Lee, Xiaojun Wu, Rodney S. Ruoff, Yanwu Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

The large-scale synthesis of graphene-oxide-like quantum dots (GOLQDs) is reported by oxidizing C60 molecules using a modified Hummers method with a yield of ≈25 wt% readily achieved. The GOLQDs are highly soluble in water and in addition to hexagons have other carbon rings in the structure. They have an average height of ≈1.2 nm and a diameter distribution of 0.6-2.2 nm after drying on substrates. First-principle calculations indicate that a possible rupturing route may include the insertion of oxygen atoms to CC bonds in the C60 molecule, followed by rupture of that CC bonds. The GOLQD suspension has a strong photoluminescence (PL) with peak position dependent on excitation wavelength. The PL is related to the size and emissive traps caused by oxygen-containing groups. The GOLQDs also catalyze the oxidation of benzyl alcohol with a high selectivity. Graphene-oxide-like quantum dots are synthesized on a large scale (≈25% yield) by oxidizing C60 molecules with a modified Hummers' method. As-prepared quantum dots are highly soluble in water, consist of carbon rings other than hexagons and present a strong photoluminescence. They have also demonstrated a remarkable catalytic activity when being used to oxidize benzyl alcohol.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5296-5304
Number of pages9
JournalSmall
Volume11
Issue number39
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Funding

Y. Zhu appreciates support from China Government 1000 plan Talent Program, China MOE NCET program, Natural Science Foundation of China (51322204), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (WK2060140014). X. Wu is supported by NKBRPC (Grant Nos. 2011CB921400 and 2012CB922001), NSFC (Grant Nos. 51172223 and 21121003), Strategic Priority Research Program of CAS (XDB01020300), and the National Program for Support of Top‐notch Young Professionals. N. Y. Kim, Z. Lee, and R. S. Ruoff appreciate support from the Institute of Basic Science, Korea. All authors appreciate the helpful editing from Dr. Peter Thrower.

Keywords

  • C
  • catalyst
  • graphene oxide
  • graphene quantum dots
  • photoluminescence

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