Tuning the photoluminescence of graphene quantum dots by co-doping of nitrogen and sulfur

Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped graphene quantum dots (NS-GQDs) were successfully synthesized using a facile, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly hydrothermal reaction of aqueous ammonia, S powder, and graphene quantum dots. The NS-GQDs with oxygen-rich functional groups have a high quantum yield of 41% and a diameter of 1–5 nm. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) and NS-GQD were investigated. The results showed that the PL emission of the NS-GQD exhibits a clear blue shift of 54 nm compared to that of the N-GQDs.