biostudies-literatureLou QNatural Science Foundation of Henan ProvinceNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaScientific and Technological Project in Henan Provincee2203622https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9596859biostudies-literatureUnknown9(30)Carbon nanodots (CDs) have emerged as an alternative option for traditional nanocrystals due to their excellent optical properties and low toxicity. Nevertheless, high emission efficiency is a long-lasting pursuit for CDs. Herein, CDs with near-unity emission efficiency are prepared via atomic condensation of doped pyrrolic nitrogen, which can highly localize the excited states thus lead to the formation of bound excitons and the symmetry break of the π-electron conjugation. The short radiative lifetimes (<8 ns) and diffusion lengths (<50 nm) of the CDs imply that excitons can be efficiently localized by radiative recombination centers for a defect-insensitive emission of CDs. By incorporating the CDs into polystyrene, flexible light-converting films with a high solid-state quantum efficieAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)Carbon Nanodots with Nearly Unity Fluorescent Efficiency Realized via Localized Excitons.PMC959685912074348202102210049212300410078U200416811974317202102210220Lou QNiu CLiu KNi QDong LShen CZang JZhang ZShan CXWei JZheng GShen WQin CfalseCarbon Nanodots with Nearly Unity Fluorescent Efficiency Realized via Localized Excitons.Carbon nanodots (CDs) have emerged as an alternative option for traditional nanocrystals due to their excellent optical properties and low toxicity. Nevertheless, high emission efficiency is a long-lasting pursuit for CDs. Herein, CDs with near-unity emission efficiency are prepared via atomic condensation of doped pyrrolic nitrogen, which can highly localize the excited states thus lead to the formation of bound excitons and the symmetry break of the π-electron conjugation. The short radiative lifetimes (<8 ns) and diffusion lengths (<50 nm) of the CDs imply that excitons can be efficiently localized by radiative recombination centers for a defect-insensitive emission of CDs. By incorporating the CDs into polystyrene, flexible light-converting films with a high solid-state quantum efficie2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-25T20:26:35.419Z2025-04-06T08:24:38.914ZS-EPMC95968593600233610.1002/advs.202203622