Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots embedded in magnesium fluoride: Achieving blue-violet room-temperature phosphorescence for information encryption and fingerprint detection

We developed an innovative approach to achieving bright and long-lasting room-temperature phosphorescence in graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots by embedding them into a magnesium fluoride matrix. • g-CNQDs embedded in MgF 2 matrix achieve bright and long-lasting blue-violet RTP. • MgF 2 stabilizes triplet excitons via rigid networks and covalent/hydrogen bonds. • g-CNQDs@MgF 2 exhibits exceptional RTP stability against solvents, acids, and bases. • g-CNQDs@MgF 2 can be applied in information encryption and fingerprint detection. Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-CNQDs) with exceptional fluorescence properties have potential applications in various fields, but their phosphorescence characteristics and associated mechanisms have received considerably less attention. This study presents the room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) from g-CNQDs by embedding them into a magnesium fluoride (MgF 2 ) matrix. The g-CNQDs were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of graphitic carbon nitride in an aqueous H 2 O 2 solution. Calcining the mixture of g-CNQDs, magnesium nitrate, and ammonium fluoride at 300–700°C resulted in the production of g-CNQDs@MgF 2 composites. Systematic investigations reveal that the phosphorescence originates from the triplet excited states of the π-conjugated structures of tri-s-triazine rings in the core of g-CNQDs. The MgF 2 matrix provides multiple constraints on g-CNQDs through a rigid network and robust covalent and hydrogen bonds, which effectively stabilize the triplet excitons and suppress the non-radiative transitions, enabling long-lasting blue-violet RTP with an optimal lifetime of 214 ms. By adjusting the calcination temperature, the phosphorescence properties of g-CNQDs@MgF 2 can be finely tuned. The composites possess outstanding optical stability against different solvents, strong acids, and bases, and show promising applications in information encryption and fingerprint detection, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional RTP materials.