Pseudo-multicolor carbon dots emission and the dilution-induced reversible fluorescence shift

Size- and color-tunable carbon dots (CDs) that emit blue to red using a single precursor in pure water were achieved by simple concentration and reaction time control. Distinct from conventional fluorophores, a reversible spectra shift of CD was observed upon dilution which could be a result of altered CD–CD inter-particle interaction, leading to minimized self-absorption.