Synthesis of Shape and Size-Tunable Carbon Nanoparticles By Polymerization of Sp-Carbon Rich Precursors

摘要

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) have emerged as one of the most promising nanomaterials due to their distinct optoelectronic properties for a diverse range of applications in the area of electronics, energy conversion/storage, and bio-imaging. The properties of photoluminescence, photostability, and low toxicity makes them a potential candidate for various applications. These unique properties arise from the network of hybridized sp~2 carbon atoms as it allows delocalization of the electrons over the entire surface of the molecule. The origin of photoluminescence of carbon nanoparticles is still a topic of debate but studies have shown that the carbon core is responsible for the strong absorption of light while the luminescence comes from the surface sites and the functional groups present on the surface. The uniqueness in terms of functions and properties of the CNPs gets more interesting as it changes distinctly with a change in the shape, size, and dimensionality of these nanoparticles. Despite several advantages and unique properties, the transformation from the laboratory to industrial products has been slow for carbon nanoparticles because of the difficulty in synthesizing and in controlling the size of CNPs. The control over the shape and size of nanoparticles is important as the optical properties of CNPs are shown to be varying with the variation in shape and size. The synthetic methods reported until now involves high-temperature (>100°C) processes which often results in uncontrolled shape, size, polydisperse and chemically inert nanoparticles, increasing the difficulty to modulate their morphological, optical, and electronic properties. Thus, the development of low temperature and controlled synthesis method is desirable.