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Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots as Multifunctional Nanotracking Agent

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) have emerged as the most versatile nanostructures for biomedicine due to their high photostability, excellent biocompatibility, good aqueous solubility, and negligible toxicity. Herein, nitrogen-doped CDs (N-CDs) were prepared using facile, cheap, and eco-friendly microwave pyrolysis using citric acid and ammonia as precursor and nitrogen dopant, respectively. UV-vis spectrum exhibited two absorption peaks, one at 240 nm and the other at 340 nm, with a strong emission peak at 450 nm revealing excitation wavelength-dependent PL behavior. N-CDs were mono-dispersed and stable with an average diameter 2±1 nm and mean zeta potential of 15 ± 2 mV. EDS spectra confirmed the presence of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Bioimaging using Candida albicans as the representative for microbial pathogens showed highly efficient internalization without causing any microbial toxicity. Our study demonstrated that synthesized N-CDs were biocompatible with strong PL and a suitable nanotracker for multifunctional biomedical applications.