Insights into Surfactant-Induced Aggregation and the Production of White Light-Emitting Thin Films from Cellulose-Derived Carbon Dots

The production and application of fluorescent carbon dots (CD) derived from different biomass sources and biowastes can help reduce costs and improve waste management. In this work, we synthesized fluorescent carbon nanoparticles from cellulose through a two-step process. The quantum yield of the obtained CDs was further increased upon reduction, and these CDs tend to aggregate in the presence of suitable surfactants. These aggregations were studied using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride in both aqueous and aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose solutions leads to the generation of white light emission. Further studies indicate that FRET and secondary inner filter effect (sIFE) may be responsible for this generation of white light. White light-emitting thin films have recently been used in various light-harvesting systems. Consequently, we used these CDs to produce an excellent white light-emitting carboxymethylcellulose film. This makes CDs more practical for use in light-emitting devices.