Exploring the interplay between formation mechanisms and luminescence of lignin carbon quantum dots from spruce biomass

Papan Djaniš, Jelena (author), Szymczak, Maja (author), Hočevar, Jan (author), Iskra, Jernej (author), Genorio, Boštjan (author), Lisjak, Darja (author), Marciniak, Lukasz (author), Elżbieciak-Piecka, Karolina (author)

This study investigates the intricate relationship between the formation mechanisms and luminescent properties of lignin-derived carbon quantum dots (LG CQDs) synthesized from spruce biomass by hydrothermal treatment. A comprehensive understanding of LG CQDs structure and its photoluminescence requires insights into the native architecture of lignin and the distribution of its acidolysis-derived fragments. Research showed how these lignin-derived units interact with dopant molecules in three different approaches during synthesis, contributing to core and surface structures that govern optical behavior. In our experiments, m-aminophenylboronic acid and varying amounts of HCl were employed as dopants to further tune the structural and luminescent features of the CQDs. The presence of functional groups such as amino, hydroxyl, and boronic acid groups was found to be crucial for enhancing the luminescent properties of the CQDs. Our findings reveal a clear correlation between structural features and luminescent properties, emphasizing the role of surface chemistry in tuning emission characteristics. These insights provide a foundation for the rational design of LG CQDs with tailored luminescent properties, advancing their potential applications in sustainable optoelectronics, sensing, and bioimaging.

• Language: English
• Keywords: spruce biomass, lignin, carbon quantum dots, luminescence
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 9 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 246, pt. 1, art. 113301
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-174754
• UDC: 620.3:665.947.4
• ISSN on article: 0143-7208
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2025.113301
• COBISS.SI-ID: 252524291
• Publication date in RUL: 09.10.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Dyes and pigments
• Shortened title: Dyes pigm.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0143-7208
• COBISS.SI-ID: 25357056

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Description: The most restrictive Creative Commons license. This only allows people to download and share the work for no commercial gain and for no other purposes.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: biomasa smreke, lignin, ogljikove kvantne pike, luminescenca