Effect of reaction temperature on optical properties of carbon nanoparticles derived from mung bean

Abstract

In this study, the authors presented the successful fabrication of carbon nanoparticles (CDs) by the hydrothermal carbonisation of mung beans at different temperatures. Samples fabricated at 180, 200, and 220oC showed the characteristic photoluminescence (PL) effect of CDs, excitation-dependent PL. The broader UV peaks were detected as the reaction temperature was increased with a characteristic peak at ~280 nm. Notably, the experimental data showed that reaction temperature clearly influenced the particle size distribution and quantum yield (QY) of the obtained CDs. The particle diameter increased from 9.0 to 13.8 nm as the temperature increased. Together, QY proportionally increased from 3.50 to 12.18%. The work is therefore expected to provide new information in the adjustment of the optical properties of the obtained CDs for functional applications in the future.