Lipid phase dependent distinct emission behaviour of hydrophobic carbon dots: C-dot based membrane probes

Abstract

We observe a unique distinct emission behaviour of hydrophobic carbon dots (H-CDs) embedded within the ordered and the disordered phase of a lipid membrane. The H-CDs exhibit blue emission in the disordered phase, however, they exhibit an intense red emission in the ordered phase of the lipid bilayer. The H-CDs have the potential ability to probe membrane dynamics like previously reported organic dyes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a CD-based membrane probe. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021.