Fluorescent carbon dots as initiators for polymerization and polymer applications

In polymer chemistry, polymerization constitutes the process of the conversion of monomers into polymers using an initiator to form polymeric chains. There are many polymerization techniques and different systems occur by which the polymers are classified. Recently, we have reported the synthesis of polymers using both carbon dots (CDs) and UV light as initiators. Carbon dots (CDs) can generate free radicals in aqueous solutions which lead to their unique properties and many applications. In our study, the carbon dots were used with or without UV light for the polymerization process. The CD`s surface has many unshared or unpaired electrons, making it negatively charged. This attraction occurs prior to the polymerization reaction. The main goal of the research focused on the use of CDs for the formation of polymers from monomers containing various functional groups. The properties of the synthesized CDs and the polymers obtained from the various monomers were characterized by conventional Materials Science methods. This polymerization technique is of interest from the scientific aspect, as well as for its applicative potential. The synthesized polymers were used as adsorbent material for organic dyes adsorption and antibacterial agent in biological applications.