title: Nitrogen-Induced Transformation of Vitamin C into Multifunctional Up-converting Carbon Nanodots in the Visible-NIR Range.
abstract: Water-soluble, biocompatible, and photoluminescent carbon nanodots have been obtained from the rationalized carbonization of vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant molecule in the presence of an amine co-reactant. Herein, we describe the positive influence of N-doping to induce a unique pH-dependent lifetime decay response that would be potentially attractive in biological backgrounds with intrinsic fluorescence fluctuations. In addition, the selectivity and sensitivity of the N-containing carbon nanoprobes towards the detection of copper ions at ppm levels is critically enhanced in comparison with the un-doped counterpart, especially in the near-infrared (NIR) range. Finally, the up-converting properties have been also successfully applied to image tumor cells in the visible range and remarkably, in the NIR region in which minimal tissue or water absorption and maximum penetration depth are expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.|Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ortega-Liebana
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.|Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M Mar
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Encabo-Berzosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18701, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: M Jose
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ruedas-Rama
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.|Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4546-4111
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hueso
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D049408:Luminescent Agents; D002244:Carbon; D003300:Copper; D009584:Nitrogen; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: bioimaging; carbon; nanoparticles; sensors; upconversion