CARBON QUANTUM DOTS SYNTHESIS BY STARCH THERMAL DEGRADATION ASSISTED BY MICROWAVE.

摘要

The present invention aims to provide a process for carbon quantum dots synthesis by means of starch thermal degradation, assisted by microwave. For this process, it is used a concentration of 1% to 4% by waxy starch weight in an aqueous solution free of chemical agents, applied to a constant microwave irradiation power of up to 50w - 100w with temperatures up to 190°C - 220°C. The principal advantages of this process consist of (i) using only water and starch as parent organic material for the formation of carbon quantum dots, without adding any type of catalysts or different materials, from those listed herein; and ii) using lower power than the reported one, from 200w - 1100w to 20w-100w. The present invention is directed to several areas, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, bio-medicine, pharmaceutical, bio-nano-sensors, nano-optics, solar cells and fuel cells.