Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of ultra-bright fluorescent carbon dots for live cell staining, cell-specific targeting and in vivo imaging

Highly fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) with quantum yields up to 96% were rapidly synthesized within 5 min via microwave irradiation with controllable temperature. Multifunctional bioimaging including live cell staining, cell-specific targeting and in vivo imaging were further demonstrated by using high quality and low cost CDs as contrast agents.