Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
An Ultra-fast, Mechanochemical, Solvent-free Process for Synthesizing Photo-luminescent Carbon Quantum Dots under Ambient Conditions
Technology Category/Market
Category – Nanotechnology.
Applications – Biomedical Engineering, Chemical, Environmental Engineering.
Industry – Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Catalysts, Pharmaceuticals, Water Treatment.
Market -Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the nanotechnology market, which was USD 7.33 billion in 2022, would rise to USD 114.54 billion by 2030 and is expected to undergo a CAGR of 41% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030.
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Problem Statement
- Current methods for synthesizing photoluminescent carbon quantum dots are complex, time-consuming, and often require high temperatures, hindering their practical applications.
- There is a need for a simple, rapid, and efficient solid-state process at room temperature to synthesize photoluminescent carbon quantum dots, allowing for their widespread use in diverse fields such as biomedicine, sensing, and pharmaceuticals.
Technology
- The technology for this invention involves a solvent-free, mechanochemical process for synthesizing photoluminescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) at room temperature.
- The process utilizes an anhydride monomer (e.g., maleic anhydride) and an amine initiator (e.g., imidazole) mixed and ground in a mortar to form a low-melting solid solution.
- This solid solution undergoes an exothermic reaction, leading to the formation of carbonaceous char.
- The char is then purified by rinsing with acetone and drying, resulting in black, powdery carbon quantum dots.
- Optional doping with metal or non-metallic compounds can also be done to produce carbon quantum dot hybrids.
- These CQDs find applications in biomedicine, sensing, and pharmaceuticals, and their small size contributes to their photoluminescence and enhanced solubility/dispersion abilities.
Key Features/Value Proposition
Technical Perspective:
- The invention offers a solvent-free, mechanochemical process for efficiently synthesizing photoluminescent carbon quantum dots at room temperature, enabling rapid and cost-effective production.
Industrial Perspective:
- Industries in nanotechnology, materials science, and chemistry can benefit from this simple and economical process, with potential applications in biomedicine, sensing, and pharmaceuticals.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact for Licensing
Research Lab
Prof. Dhamodharan. R
Department of Chemistry
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref. 1757
- IN 386786 (PATENT GRANTED)
Technology Readiness Level
TRL-4
Technology Validated in Lab