Luminescent Quantum Dots from Nonluminescent 2D Pyrediyne for Bioimaging Applications

Abstract Pyrediyne is one of the recent entries to carbon‐based 2D material series with better electronic and charge transport properties compared to graphdiyne. Herein, the preparation of pyrediyne‐based quantum dots (PDYQDs), with tunable emission, from nonluminescent 2D precursor pyrediyne is investigated. As‐prepared PDYQDs are characterized by various microscopic as well as spectroscopic techniques such as high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, UV‐visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The simple preparatory method and absence of heavy metal or external passivating agents make this pyrene‐containing QDs unique. Moreover, the tunable emission (410–548 nm), notable photoluminescence quantum yield (23%), and negligible cytotoxicity of PDYQDs are explored for bioimaging in MCF7 breast cancer cells. The findings in the present study are encouraging to explore novel carbon‐based QDs from their 2D counterparts to enhance their applications in various biological and optoelectronic devices.