A Comparative Study of Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Prepared from Linear Polyethyleneimine (L-PEI) and Branched Polyethyleneimine (B-PEI): Thermal, Optical, Biocompatibility, Sensor, Antibacterial, and Light-Induced Antibacterial Activity.

The N-doped carbon dots (CDs) prepared in the presence of citric acid (CA) as carbon source, using linear poly(ethylene imine) (L-PEI) and branched poly(ethylene imine) (B-PEI) as nitrogen doping agents were prepared via hydrothermal/solvothermal technique at 250 °C in a Teflon-lined autoclave. The zeta potentials of L-PEI CDs and B-PEI CDs were determined as + 9.8 ± 4 and 0.1 ± 0.5 mV with 47 ± 3 and 54 ± 5 nm sizes, respectively. Bandgap values for L-PEI CDs and B-PEI CDs were estimated as 3.06 and 3.37 eV, respectively. The fluorescence intensities of L-PEI CDs and B-PEI CDs were measured as 59,310(a.u.), and 46,370(a.u.) at 474 and 442 nm, respectively, under 400 and 320 nm excitation wavelengths and 700 V PMT voltage. A higher quantum yield% value was observed for L-PEI CDs with 37 ± 2.9%. Both L-PEI CDs and B-PEI CDs were found biocompatible up to 1000 µg/mL concentration with > 80% L929 fibroblast cell viability. The limit of detection (LOD) values for Fe by L-PEI CDs and B-PEI CDs were determined as 0.58 and 2.14 mg/mL, respectively. Both L-PEI CDs and B-PEI CDs at 10 mg/mL concentration resulted in 50% bacterial killing for gram-negative E. coli, gram-positive B. subtilis, and yeast C. albicans microorganisms. Also, the light activation of L-PEI CDs and B-PEI CDs induces almost 70 and 40% bacterial killing for gram-positive B. subtilis in 30 min. Moreover, they have a limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.58 mg/mL for Fe ions, in addition to exhibiting biocompatibility and antibacterial properties.