Plant leaf-derived graphene quantum dots and applications for white LEDs

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been prepared for the first time using raw plant leaf extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) by a facile, hydrothermal method at 300 °C for 8 hours in water, without the need of any passivizing, reducing agents or organic solvents. High resolution transmission electron microscope studies showed that the average sizes of the GQDs from Neem (N-GQDs) and Fenugreek (F-GQDs) were 5 and 7 nm respectively. N-GQDs and F-GQDs exhibit high quantum yields of 41.2% and 38.9% respectively. Moreover, the GQDs were utilized to prepare a white light converting cap based on the red-green-blue (RGB) color mixing method.