Template synthesis of monodisperse carbon nanodots

Abstract

Monodisperse carbon nanodots in pores of mesoporous silica particles are obtained by template synthesis. This method is based on introducing a precursor (organosilane) into pores, its thermal decomposition with formation of carbon nanodots, and the template removal. Structural analysis of the nanomaterial has been performed, which showed that carbon nanodots have an approximately spherical form and a graphite-like structure. According to dynamic light scattering data, the size of carbon nanodots is 3.3 ± 0.9 nm.