Insights into Surfactant-Induced\nAggregation and the\nProduction of White Light-Emitting Thin Films from Cellulose-Derived\nCarbon Dots

The production and application of fluorescent carbon\ndots (CD)\nderived from different biomass sources and biowastes can help reduce\ncosts and improve waste management. In this work, we synthesized fluorescent\ncarbon nanoparticles from cellulose through a two-step process. The\nquantum yield of the obtained CDs was further increased upon reduction,\nand these CDs tend to aggregate in the presence of suitable surfactants.\nThese aggregations were studied using different spectroscopic and\nmicroscopic techniques. The loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride in\nboth aqueous and aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose solutions leads to\nthe generation of white light emission. Further studies indicate that\nFRET and secondary inner filter effect (sIFE) may be responsible for\nthis generation of white light. White light-emitting thin films have\nrecently been used in various light-harvesting systems. Consequently,\nwe used these CDs to produce an excellent white light-emitting carboxymethylcellulose\nfilm. This makes CDs more practical for use in light-emitting devices.