A Multifaceted Graphene Quantum Dots derived from Asphaltenes for Energy and Biomedical Applications

This proposal seeks to develop a scalable and cost-effective method for synthesizing GQDs, using asphaltenes as a precursor. Using affordable Alberta Oilsands Asphaltene (AOA) as a precursor offers significant reduction in cost of the derived GQDs and additional dimension of tunability of their surface properties due to the inherent difference in chemical composition and high presence of aromatics in different asphaltene sources. Our preliminary results indicate that applying different oxidization methods on the same asphaltene sample, GQDs with affinity for oil, water or oil/water interface can be derived, which is difficult to achieve with conventional QDs synthesis method. Moreover, our methods also produce substantial amounts of an isolable intermediate (asphaltene oxide) which will be extensively explored for its deployment in a broad range of transformations.