Synthesis of carbon dots and their application as lipid membrane probe

Abstract

The phase of the lipid bilayer plays important role in the insertion of the different biomolecules, ions, and nanomaterials. So, the identification of the membrane phase during the interaction has a significant view in the nanoscience community. Previously, researchers used organic membrane probes like Prodan and Laurdan to detect the lipid membrane phase. But organic membrane probe has certain limitations like low photostability and low biocompatibility and induces a change in the membrane phase. Nowadays, scientists are looking into carbon dots to use them as membrane probes. In the present contribution, we have synthesized three different carbon dots by using three different precursors of phenylenediamine and dithiosalicyclic acid. Then, we investigate their efficiency to use as a membrane probe. Our study reveals that the carbon dots synthesized from ortho phenylenediamine and para-phenylenediamine precursors are best suited as membrane probes rather than meta-phenylenediamine.