Open experiments are an effective means of cultivating top-notch innovative talents. Based on student interests, research hotspots and our laboratory conditions, an experimental scheme was designed. In this experiment, polyethyleneimine modified carbon dots (PEI-CDs) were prepared via a one-step hydrothermal method using citric acid (CA) as the carbon source and PEI as the surface passivator. First, CA and PEI were completely dissolved in 0.1 mol/L HCl and transferred into an autoclave. The autoclave was heated to 130 ℃ for 2 h. PEI-CDs solution was obtained. After cooling to room temperature, the solution was concentrated to 2 mL by rotary evaporation. Finally, the PEI-CDs were precipitated, washed with ethanol, and dried under vacuum at 70 ℃ for 12 h. The obtained PEI-CDs were characterized by fluorescence spectrophotometry, absorption spectrophotometry, infrared spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that anhydrous-ethanol precipitation is a simple, rapid, economical, and green purification method. The as-prepared PEI-CDs had unique properties, such as good water solubility, high luminescence, uniform particle sizes, and good stability. Through this open experiment, students can not only master the operation of large-scale instruments but also enhance their interest in scientific research.
开放性实验是培养拔尖创新人才的有效手段。我们基于学生兴趣、科研热点和实验室条件,设计了实验方案。实验采用一步水热法,以柠檬酸(CA)为碳源,聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)为修饰剂,合成PEI修饰碳点(PEI-CDs)。首先,将CA、PEI在0.1 mol/L的盐酸中超声至完全溶解,混匀后转移到高压反应釜中,放入烘箱130 ℃反应2 h,制得PEI-CDs原液;然后将冷却至室温的原液旋转蒸发浓缩至2 mL,并用无水乙醇沉淀、洗涤;最后,将所得沉淀放入真空干燥箱,70 ℃干燥12 h得到PEI-CDs粉末。利用紫外-可见分光光度计、荧光分光光度计、红外光谱仪和透射电镜对所合成的PEI-CDs进行表征。结果表明,所采用的无水乙醇沉淀纯化方法简单、快速、经济、绿色,制得的PEI-CDs水溶性好,发光性能优异,大小均一,稳定性高。通过该开放性实验,学生不仅熟悉了大型仪器的使用,而且增强了科学研究的兴趣。
Keywords: carbon dots (CDs); fluorescence; open experiment; polyethyleneimine (PEI); purification method.