Luminescent carbon dots (Cdots) synthesized using inexpensive precursors have inspired tremendous research interest because of their superior properties and applicability in various fields. In this work, we report a simple, economical, green route for the synthesis of multifunctional fluorescent Cdots prepared from a natural, low-cost source: collagen extracted from animal skin wastes. The as-synthesized metal-free Cdots were found to be in the size range of ∼1.2-9 nm, emitting bright blue photoluminescence with a calculated Cdot yield of ∼63%. Importantly, the soft-lithographic method used was inexpensive and yielded a variety of Cdot patterns with different geometrical structures and significant cellular biocompatibility. This novel approach to Cdot production highlights innovative ways of transforming industrial biowastes into advanced multifunctional materials which offer exciting potential for applications in nanophotonics and nanobiotechnology using a simple and scalable technique.
Keywords: MIMIC; biocompatible; biowastes; luminescence; patterning; quantum dots.