Superhydrophobic fluorescent micro-/nano-composites from carbon dots encapsulated in CaCO 3 -SiO 2

ABSTRACTIn this paper, polyamine-functionalized carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by means of low temperature (<100°C) carbonization of citric acid at the presence of polyethylenimine (PEI), resulting spherical calcium carbonate micro-particles from inverse micro-emulsion system. Nanoscaled spherical silicas were prepared by Stöber method via deposition on the surface of micron calcium carbonate. Scanning- and transmission-electron microscopic analysis confirmed a micro-/nano-complex structure, enabling the composite material coating possessed coarser surface similar to those of 'lotus leaf'. After modification with 1 H, 1 H, 2 H, 2 H-perfluorodecanethiol, both good super hydrophobicity and good fluorescent performance were confirmed by the water contact angle of 154.1°±1.5°, their surface-free energy, and fluorescence quantum yield of 14.1%, which provides an inexpensive and easy way to fabricate superhydrophobic material with fluorescence characteristics and promotes high value application of inorganic materials.KEYWORDS: Composite materialfluorescencehydrophobicityOwens-Wendt model Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Correction StatementThis article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.Additional informationFundingThe work was supported by the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research Research on Standardization System of Salt Lake Chemical Industry Chain [2019-GX-168]; Innovation Fund of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises of Gansu Province [1407GCCA013].