title: One-Step Synthesis of Boron Nitride Quantum Dots: Simple Chemistry Meets Delicate Nanotechnology.
abstract: Herein, a conceptually new and straightforward aqueous route is described for the synthesis of hydroxyl- and amino-functionalized boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) with quantum yields (QY) as high as 18.3 % by using a facile bottom-up approach, in which a mixture of boric acid and ammonia solution was hydrothermally treated in one pot at 200 °C for 12 h. The functionalized BNQDs, with excellent photoluminescence properties, could be easily dispersed in an aqueous medium and applied as fluorescent probes for the detection of ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) ions with excellent selectivity and low detection limits. The mechanisms for the hydrothermal reaction and fluorescence quenching were also simulated by using density functional theory (DFT), which confirmed the feasibility and advantages of this strategy. It provides a scalable and eco-friendly method for preparation of BNQDs with good dispersability and could also be generalized to the synthesis of other 2D quantum dots and nanoplates.
authors.affiliation: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Laboratory of Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
authors.forename: Bingping
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, 266109, China.
authors.forename: Shihai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Laboratory of Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
authors.forename: Zhongqian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Laboratory of Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
authors.forename: Mengli
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Laboratory of Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
authors.forename: Xuqiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, VIC 3216, Australia.
authors.forename: Wenrong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Laboratory of Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
authors.forename: Jingquan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
keywords: boron; density functional calculations; fluorescent probes; ion detection; quantum dots