Fluorescent properties of boron nitride quantum dots depending on functionalizing ligands

Boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) are promising agents for boron neutron capture therapy. However, studies of the dependence of optical properties on the conditions of their synthesis are at an early stage. In this work, a study was carried out of the effect of BNQDs functionalization with urea, thiourea, and o-phenylenediamine on their fluorescent properties. It is shown that when N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is used as a solvent for the synthesis of BNQDs by exfoliation of bulk boron nitride powder followed by solvothermal treatment with the addition of various amino-containing ligands, it is possible to tune the fluorescence of boron nitride quantum dots from 404 to 545 nm.