Preparation and surface structure study of novel asymmetric Janus carbon dots

Janus particles, heterogeneous bifacial particles, have gained significant interest in materials science and chemical engineering. Nanoscale fabrication of these particles poses notable challenges. Although mature techniques exist for creating Janus particles from inorganic and polymeric materials, similar advancements in carbon dots (CDs) remain unreported. This paper introduces a novel approach using a liquid–liquid interface method to specifically modify CDs suspended at the biphasic interface, resulting in the formation of carbon dots with a unique Janus-type surface distribution (J-CDs). The surface structure was analyzed using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis and 13 C NMR spectroscopy. By correlating their fluorescence properties with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations, the relationship between the fluorescent characteristics of J-CDs and their asymmetric Janus surface structures was established, further confirming their unique Janus configuration. Water contact angle tests showed that J-CDs exhibit hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties that differ distinctly from those of traditional amphiphilic CDs when suspended in various solvents and dried on a silicon substrate, underscoring their novel structure. Enhanced surface properties were demonstrated through the stabilization of Pickering emulsions and fabrication of polystyrene microspheres, showcasing the potential of J-CDs to modulate surface characteristics for diverse applications.