Rational Synthesis of Single-Component White-Light-Emitting Carbon Nanodots for Warm White LEDs with a High Color Rendering Index of 95.4

Phosphor-converted white-emitting diodes (WLEDs) have become a strong competitor for the next generation of solid-state lighting sources, and carbon nanodots (CNDs) are a go-to choice nanomaterial for white phosphor development thanks to their superior properties. However, it is still challenging to prepare single-component white-light-emitting (SCWLE) CNDs that are most promising for CNDs-based WLED development. In this report, a rational approach for the preparation of SCWLE CNDs was reported to further advance the current field. Specifically, SCWLE CNDs were rationally prepared by exploiting a one-pot synthesis approach in which carbon precursors of red, green, and blue CNDs were in situ treated under an identical reaction. Taking advantage of the SCWLE CNDs, WLEDs emitting warm white light with a CIE coordinate of (0.39, 0.37), a CCT of 3732K, and an extremely high CRI of 95.4 were successfully constructed. Furthermore, the device also demonstrated robust photoluminescence stability under different operating conditions, highlighting the practical application potential of SCWLE CNDs for WLED technology.