A new sulfur-doped source and synergistic effect with nitrogen for carbon dots produced from glucose

The nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon dots (N, S-CDs) with increased luminescence were synthesized by a hydrothermal process in one green pot by using glucose, and a new sulfur-doping source of sodium sulfite was developed. The synergistic effect of the N and S groups was well discussed through the structure analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectra and x-ray photoelectron spectra. The surface states of N, S-CDs embody more complicated functional groups, and S element exists as -SSO₃, -C-SO₃, and SO₄^2- groups due to the introduction of sodium sulfite. The sulfur-containing groups passivate the surface of the CDs, and the relatively high sulfur groups may reduce the non-radiation centers. The fluorescence is affected by the hydroxyl group of the solvent. The quenching of Fe³⁺ ion to fluorescence and the sensitivity of fluorescence to pH were also investigated.