Synthesis of temperature-sensitive boron, nitrogen and sulphur doped carbon dots and their applications

Boron-Sulfur-Nitrogen doped carbon dots (B, N, S-CDs) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using 2-Mercaptopyrimidine (C 4 H 4 N 2 S) and citric acid (C 6 H 8 N 7 •H 2 O) as raw materials. The B, N, S-CDs showed exceptional fluorescence response to Fe 2+ , TC. The results of the B, N, S-CDs are very promising for the detection of real water samples. In addition, the B, N, S-CDs had a good temperature response (reversible and recoverable fluorescence in the temperature range of 25–65︒C). The low cytotoxicity and in vitro cellular imaging properties exhibited by this carbon dot also greatly enhance their utility.