| Abstract: | Metal atom doping, an easy and convenient method, can optimize and tune the physical–chemical properties and photometrics of carbon dots (CDs). However, there are few reports on the preparation of metal‐decorated CDs that give red emission and a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). Here, we demonstrate a zinc (existing in human body) ion‐doping strategy to observably enhance the PLQY and lengthen the CD emission wavelength. The prepared Zn/ZnO‐decorated CDs (Zn‐CDs) produced red fluorescence (623 nm) with a superior PLQY of 40.3%. Through a series of analyses, Zn‐CDs were confirmed to contain an oxidation state and reduction state of Zn doping into the internal defects and surface of Zn‐CDs. More valuably, the Zn‐CDs had excellent chemical stability, photo‐stability, long‐term storage stability, and high biocompatibility, and therefore could be used as a robust red fluorescence probe for high‐quality cellular imaging. |
