Enhanced Photoresponsive Ultrathin Graphitic-Phase C₃N₄Nanosheets for Bioimaging

Abstract

Two-dimensional nanosheets have attracted tremendous attention because of their promising practical application and theoretical values. The atomic-thick nanosheets are able to not only enhance the intrinsic properties of their bulk counterparts but also give birth to new promising properties. Herein, we highlight an available pathway to prepare the ultrathin graphitic-phase C(3)N(4) (g-C(3)N(4)) nanosheets by a "green" liquid exfoliation route from bulk g-C(3)N(4) in water for the first time. The as-obtained ultrathin g-C(3)N(4) nanosheet solution is very stable in both the acidic and alkaline environment and shows pH-dependent photoluminenscence (PL). Compared to the bulk g-C(3)N(4), ultrathin g-C(3)N(4) nanosheets show enhanced intrinsic photoabsorption and photoresponse, which induce their extremely high PL quantum yield up to 19.6%. Thus, benefiting from the inherent blue light PL with high quantum yields and high stability, good biocompatibility, and nontoxicity, the water-soluble ultrathin g-C(3)N(4) nanosheet is a brand-new but promising candidate for bioimaging application.