Highly photoluminescent and temperature-sensitive P, N, B-co-doped carbon quantum dots and their highly sensitive recognition for curcumin

Water-soluble P, N, B-co-doped carbon quantum dots (PNBCDs) synthesized using a convenient hydrothermal method exhibit many excellent features, such as strong fluorescence, excitation-independent emission, high monodispersity, good stability, and excellent water solubility with a fluorescence quantum yield of 21.95%. The as-prepared PNBCDs possessed remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards curcumin with the linear range of 0–1.5 μmol L(−1) and the detection limit for curcumin was 68 nmol L(−1) (3σ/k). Additionally, the wonderfully reversible and repeatable sensitivity to external temperature makes it possible that the PNBCDs could be used as a biocompatible fluorescent ink and for thermo-sensitive devices.