Facile synthesis of graphene quantum dots from glucan and their application as a deoxidizer and in cell imaging

Abstract

A facile and effective route to synthesize graphene quantum dots for cell imaging and as a deoxidizer by using glucan as a precursor is developed. AuNPs are successfully synthesized by mixing of graphene quantum dots and Au(III) salts without any additional reductants. The reducing driving force of these graphene quantum dots is much weaker than that of strong reducing agents such as NaBH4. The sizes of the as-synthesized AuNPs are much larger, with an average size of 15 nm. Notably, this size range is specifically useful and optimal for the application of AuNPs in biomedical applications. In addition, the as-synthesized graphene quantum dots are also successfully applied in cell imaging.