Fluorescent carbon dot–molecular salt hydrogels

摘要

The incorporation of functionalised carbon nanodots within a novel low molecular weight salt hydrogelderived from 5-aminosalicylic acid is reported. The carbon dots result in markedly enhanced gelationproperties, while inclusion within the hydrophobic gel results in a dramatic fluorescence enhancementfor the carbon nanomaterials. The resulting hybrid CD gels exhibit a useful sensor response for heavymetal ions, particularly Pb2+.