Kilogram-scale synthesis of carbon dots with high-efficiency full-color solid-state fluorescence using an aggregation-induced emission strategy

Carbon dots (CDs), one of the most promising luminescent nanomaterials, have attracted widespread concern due to their unique optoelectronic properties and widespread application. However, mass production of solid-state CDs with highly efficient full-color emission has rarely been reported, severely limiting their practical application in solid-state lighting and displays. Here, using an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) strategy, full-color solid-state fluorescent (SSF) CDs with quantum yields (QYs) of up to 55.3–27.9% have been prepared on a kilogram scale through one-step microwave-assisted pyrolysis of the same precursors. Detailed structure–property studies demonstrate that the SSF of CDs is derived from the suppression of surface carboxyl group motions and the decrease of the non-radiative rate in their aggregated state, and that their tunable emission is attributed to the excessive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) induced by the increasing number of aromatic rings on CD surfaces. Therefore, these CDs exhibit both the AIE enhancement and red shift throughout the entire visible spectrum in the solid state. Finally, because of their excellent AIE properties, these highly efficient SSF CDs have been applied to pattern encryption, large-area luminescent fibrous membranes (LFMs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and fingerprint detection.