Synthesis of carbon dots@Mg(OH)2 solid-state composites with blue, red emitting for horticultural application

Highlights: : • A series of B/R-CDs@Mg(OH)₂ compounds with dual peaks at 447 and 677 nm is synthesized. • The photoluminescence spectra are consistent with the blue and red spectrum required for plant cultivation. • These materials exhibit excellent thermal stability and photostability. • LEDs and light-conversion films for plant growth are further prepared and studied. -- Abstract: Carbon dots (CDs) are being increasingly favored by researchers due to their suitable size, simple preparation method, low cost, and excellent optical performance. However, CDs are often self-quenched in the solid state, limiting their application and development. In this work, blue/red-CDs (B/R-CDs) materials are synthesized using hydrothermal method. By combining CDs with Mg(OH)₂ hexagonal nanosheet in one step, a series of B/R-CDs@Mg(OH)₂ anti-self-quenching luminescent composites with dual characteristic peaks at 447 and 677 nm was then synthesized. Their photoluminescence (PL) spectra are consistent with the blue and red spectrum, which match well with the absorption of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. The emissive colors are also tunable by various weight ratios of these composites. These materials have the excellent thermal stability and photostability. light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and light-conversion films for plant growth are further prepared and studied. Results indicate that the materials have excellent commercial horticulture applications in plant-growth lamps and light-conversion film.