Upconversion fluorescent carbon nanodots enriched with nitrogen for light harvesting

Fluorescent nitrogen-enriched carbon nanodots (C-dots) of 1 to 3 nm were obtained through a one-pot reaction between melamine and glycerol. These C-dots show quantum yields up to 22% and a high two-photon absorption cross-section. The TiO2 based photoanode sensitized by these C-dots is capable of converting near IR photon energy to photocurrent.