Abstract Carbon dots (CDs) are environmentally benign alternatives to quantum dots comprised of heavy metals with outstanding photoluminescent (PL) properties and have shown great promise in optical bio-imaging and sensing. However, it remains challenging to rationally design and synthesize CDs with red PL emission. We herein disclose that a red-shifted PL emission could be achieved by doping the electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms into CDs. Moreover, we demonstrate the preparation of fluorine doped CDs with a red PL emission under excitation at 530 nm by an easy, environmental friendly, one-step microwave-assistant carbonation route. A possible mechanism of the red-shifted emission upon fluorine doping is tentatively proposed. In addition, the applicable of these red-emissive fluorine doped CDs as optical nanoprobes for bio-imaging applications, both in vivo and in vitro, was explored. It is indicated that the as-prepared fluorine doped CDs with red-shifted PL emission are promising candidates for tumor bio-imaging/or diagnostics.

中文翻译：

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用于光学生物成像的氟掺杂具有红移光致发光的碳点

摘要 碳点 (CD) 是由具有出色光致发光 (PL) 特性的重金属组成的量子点的环保替代品，在光学生物成像和传感方面显示出巨大的前景。然而，合理设计和合成具有红色 PL 发射的 CD 仍然具有挑战性。我们在此公开了可以通过将吸电子氟原子掺杂到 CD 中来实现红移 PL 发射。此外，我们展示了在 530 nm 激发下通过简单、环保、一步微波辅助碳化途径制备具有红色 PL 发射的氟掺杂 CD。初步提出了氟掺杂后红移发射的可能机制。此外，这些红色发射氟掺杂的 CD 作为光学纳米探针适用于生物成像应用，在体内和体外，都进行了探索。结果表明，所制备的具有红移 PL 发射的氟掺杂 CDs 是肿瘤生物成像/或诊断的有希望的候选者。