Amino acids as the source for producing carbon nanodots: microwave assisted one-step synthesis, intrinsic photoluminescence property and intense chemiluminescence enhancement

In this communication, we report a general strategy for the production of carbon nanodots (CDs) by microwave irradiation of amino acids in the presence of acid or alkali. The resultant CDs exhibit strong photoluminescence and intense chemiluminescence enhancement of the NaIO(4)-H(2)O(2) system.