Lignin-derived carbon dots with molten salt confinement for ultra-stable room-temperature phosphorescence
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In response to the critical challenges of high toxicity, complex synthesis, and poor environmental stability in conventional room-temperature phosphorescent materials, this study presents a sustainable biomass-derived strategy through the development of lignin-based carbon dot/inorganic salt composites (CDSL X -T). By employing a one-step molten salt approach, we construct a hierarchical architecture featuring lignin-derived sp 2 -hybridized carbon cores and a rigid crystalline shell comprising multi-component inorganic salts (MgO/Mg 3 (PO 4 ) 2 /KCl/KNO 3 ). The inherent conjugated moieties of lignin facilitate efficient intersystem crossing , while nitrogen doping optimizes (n, π*) electronic configurations to enhance spin-orbit coupling effects. In situ characterization elucidates the synergistic mechanism of high-temperature-induced carbon core aromatization and salt matrix crystallization. A dual confinement strategy-combining covalent bonding (C-K/C-Cl/C-Mg) and spatial restriction-effectively suppresses carbon dot vibrations and non-radiative triplet exciton transitions, enabling stable phosphorescence emission in aqueous environments. Leveraging time-resolved luminescence characteristics with tunable lifetimes, the material demonstrates unique potential in fingerprint visualization and multilevel information encryption . This work establishes an eco-friendly synthetic paradigm for high-performance bio-based optical materials , bridging sustainable chemistry with advanced photonic applications.
Authors: Zhuoyu Wang, Jiajia Shan, Kunpeng Yu, Lang Huang, Qiong Wu
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,390
Awards: G114866827, G7436089827
OpenAlex ID: W4409468967