Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

Abstract

Carbon, Graphene and Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots for Analytical Biochemistry Research

Edward Lai

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have emerged rapidly as a new class of attractive fluorescence nano-probes ever since they were made from coal in 2013 by the Rice University lab of chemist James Tour. They offer 2-10 nm size, good quantum yield, high photostability, tunable photoluminescence, flexible molecular structure, easy functionalization, excellent bio-compatibility, stable dispersion in water, and facile hydrothermal synthesis. A method for forming GQDs included adding an organic starting material to a vessel and heating the material to within 20°C of its boiling temperature for a time no longer than ten minutes. Their chemical inertness and low toxicity have triggered numerous studies on their unique properties in interdisciplinary science and engineering research over the last several years. Different sized GQDs with a narrow size distribution could be obtained via gel electrophoresis of the crude GQDs prepared through a photo-Fenton reaction of graphene oxide.