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Angew.Chem. Int.Ed., 2017, 56, 9910–9914
Heteroatom doping is an effective way to adjust the fluorescent properties of carbon quantum dots. However, selenium-doped carbon dots have rarely been reported, eve though selenium has unique chemical properties such as redox-responsive properties owing to its special electronegativity. Herein, a facile and high-output strategy to fabricate selenium- doped carbon quantum dots (Se-CQDs) with green fluorescence (quantum yield 7.6 %) is developed through the hydro-thermal treatment of selenocystine under mild conditions. Selenium heteroatoms endow the Se-CQDs with redox-dependent reversible fluorescence. Furthermore, free radicals such as COH can be effectively scavenged by the Se-CQDs.Once Se-CQDs are internalized into cells, harmful high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells are decreased. This property makes the Se-CQDs capable of protecting biosystems from oxidative stress.
