Photoluminescence properties of silk–carbon quantum dots composites

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2023-07, Vol.107 (1), p.170-177
• Main Authors: Colusso, Elena, Cicerchia, Luca, Rigon, Michele, Gomes, Vincent, Martucci, Alessandro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Carbon dots; Ceramics; Chemical bonds; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Crosslinking; Glass; Inorganic Chemistry; Luminescence quenching; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanohybrids and Nanocomposites Materials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for optical; Photoluminescence; photonic and optoelectronic applications; Quantum dots; Silk fibroin; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; Water stability
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-022-05742-y

In this paper, we report silk fibroin (SF) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) nanocomposites obtained through a facile solution casting approach. The optical properties of the nanocomposites have been characterised by UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Crosslinking of SF and chemical interactions with the CQDs have been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, water stability and degradability of the prepared composites have been investigated in terms of mass loss, important for applications in a real scenario. We observed that for a concentration of CQDs above 1%wt aggregation of nanoparticles occurs, affecting the photoluminescence of the material. The results show that the best composition in terms of photoluminescence intensity and water stability is 0.5%wt CQDs. Graphical abstract Highlights Silk–carbon quantum dot composites were formed via a solution casting method. Carbon quantum dots and silk fibroin were physically mixed, and no chemical bonds were detected. Luminescence quenching and loss in transparency were observed for concentrations of CQDs > 1%.