Work

Synthesis of Mugwort Leaves-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots and Their Application in Intracellular pH Sensing and Imaging

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study advocates the concept of green chemistry and sustainable development. Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with blue–green fluorescence were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using mugwort leaves as both carbon and nitrogen sources. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the optical, electrochemical, stability and pH-sensing properties of N-CQDs and undoped CQDs. The as-prepared N-CQDs were further applied as nanofluorescent probes for intracellular pH sensing and fluorescence imaging. The results demonstrated that nitrogen doping significantly enhanced the quantum yield of N-CQDs to 32.25% (versus 16.29% for undoped CQDs), induced a red-shifted emission and endowed N-CQDs with strong fluorescence intensity, favorable excitation-dependent behavior, excellent stability and photoelectric performance. N-CQDs showed sensitive pH response with a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and pH in the range of 4.0–8.5 and also exhibited good sensing performance and linear fluorescence response in living cells. With wide detection range and high sensitivity, N-CQDs hold great promise for biomedical applications, especially in intracellular pH sensing.

Source: NANO

DOI: 10.1142/s1793292026501559

Authors: Hao Geng, Zheng Chen, Yuefang Hu, Xi Chen, Caoyuan Ma, Feifei Han

Institutions: Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Hezhou University

Language: English

Topic: Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Scientific Research and Technology Development Program of Guangxi, Specific Research Project of Guangxi for Research Bases and Talents

Awards: G2816297471, G4536900818