Simple one-step synthesis of water-soluble fluorescent carbon dots derived from paper ash

Highly photoluminescent carbon dots with a PL quantum yield of 9.3% have been prepared via a simple one-step synthesis route using waste paper as a novel carbon source. The as-prepared carbon dots have good water solubility, well distributed particle size and acceptable fluorescence lifetime. Besides, due to high photostability and biocompatibility, the obtained carbon dots are demonstrated as excellent probes in cellular imaging.