Photoluminescence of nanoporous carbons: Opening a new application route for old materials

Photoluminescence of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen containing nanoporous carbons was detected in the visible range. This behavior was linked to the presence of sulfones, sulfoxides, sulfonic acids and nitrogen moiety, which act as chromophores in the carbon pore system. They absorb radiation close to visible range and electrons are transferred to the graphitic domains of carbon matrices, which are in the vicinity of these groups. This process results in photoluminescence, which was observed in spite of the strong light absorbing nature of carbons. These features of nanoporous carbons can open the new route for their applications as sensors and drug delivery carries.