Tricarboxylic Acids and Ethylenediamine Derived Carbon Dots for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of carbon dots derived from tricarboxylic acids and ethylenediamine, exhibiting high photoluminescence quantum yield. During the synthesis, covalently bound 1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-5-oxo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid molecular fluorophores are formed within the carbon dots, significantly enhancing their photoluminescent properties. Ultraviolet-Visible and Fourier-Transform Infrared absorption spectra confirm the presence of 1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-5-oxo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid moieties in the structure of the carbon dots. The organic light-emitting diode fabricated with these carbon dots as the emission layer demonstrated a luminance of up to 30 cd/m 2 .