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Kong J, Wei Y, Zhou F, Shi L, Zhao S, Wan M, Zhang X. Carbon Quantum Dots: Properties, Preparation, and Applications. Molecules 2024; 29:2002. [PMID: 38731492 PMCID: PMC11085940 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbon quantum dots are a novel form of carbon material. They offer numerous benefits including particle size adjustability, light resistance, ease of functionalization, low toxicity, excellent biocompatibility, and high-water solubility, as well as their easy accessibility of raw materials. Carbon quantum dots have been widely used in various fields. The preparation methods employed are predominantly top-down methods such as arc discharge, laser ablation, electrochemical and chemical oxidation, as well as bottom-up methods such as templates, microwave, and hydrothermal techniques. This article provides an overview of the properties, preparation methods, raw materials for preparation, and the heteroatom doping of carbon quantum dots, and it summarizes the applications in related fields, such as optoelectronics, bioimaging, drug delivery, cancer therapy, sensors, and environmental remediation. Finally, currently encountered issues of carbon quantum dots are presented. The latest research progress in synthesis and application, as well as the challenges outlined in this review, can help and encourage future research on carbon quantum dots.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiangfeng Zhang
- School of Medicine, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China; (Y.W.); (F.Z.); (L.S.); (S.Z.); (M.W.)
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Guan X, Li Z, Geng X, Lei Z, Karakoti A, Wu T, Kumar P, Yi J, Vinu A. Emerging Trends of Carbon-Based Quantum Dots: Nanoarchitectonics and Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207181. [PMID: 36693792 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-based quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a fascinating class of advanced materials with a unique combination of optoelectronic, biocompatible, and catalytic characteristics, apt for a plethora of applications ranging from electronic to photoelectrochemical devices. Recent research works have established carbon-based QDs for those frontline applications through improvements in materials design, processing, and device stability. This review broadly presents the recent progress in the synthesis of carbon-based QDs, including carbon QDs, graphene QDs, graphitic carbon nitride QDs and their heterostructures, as well as their salient applications. The synthesis methods of carbon-based QDs are first introduced, followed by an extensive discussion of the dependence of the device performance on the intrinsic properties and nanostructures of carbon-based QDs, aiming to present the general strategies for device designing with optimal performance. Furthermore, diverse applications of carbon-based QDs are presented, with an emphasis on the relationship between band alignment, charge transfer, and performance improvement. Among the applications discussed in this review, much focus is given to photo and electrocatalytic, energy storage and conversion, and bioapplications, which pose a grand challenge for rational materials and device designs. Finally, a summary is presented, and existing challenges and future directions are elaborated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Guan
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Zhixuan Li
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Xun Geng
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Zhihao Lei
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Ajay Karakoti
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Tom Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Jiabao Yi
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Ajayan Vinu
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
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Kumar P, Dua S, Kaur R, Kumar M, Bhatt G. A review on advancements in carbon quantum dots and their application in photovoltaics. RSC Adv 2022; 12:4714-4759. [PMID: 35425490 PMCID: PMC8981368 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra08452f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon quantum dots are a new frontier in the field of fluorescent nanomaterials, and they exhibit fascinating properties such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, eco-friendliness, good water solubility and photostability. In addition, the synthesis of these nanoparticles is facile, rapid, and satisfies green chemistry principles. CQDs have easily tunable optical properties and have found applications in bioimaging, nanomedicine, drug delivery, solar cells, light-emitting diodes, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and other related areas. This article systematically reviews carbon quantum dot structure, their synthesis techniques, recent advancements, the effects of doping and surface engineering on their optical properties, and related photoluminescence models in detail. The challenges associated with these nanomaterials and their prospects are discussed, and special emphasis has been placed on the application of carbon quantum dots in enhancing the performance of photovoltaics and white light-emitting diodes. This review puts forth the in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of carbon quantum dots(CQDs), recent advancements in the field including a thorough discussion on different roles of CQDs to enhance the performance of solar cells and white-LEDs.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar
- Department of Electronic Science, South Campus University of Delhi, New Delhi-110021, India
- Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110007, India
| | - Shweta Dua
- Bhaskarcaharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110075, India
- Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110007, India
| | - Ravinder Kaur
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110075, India
- Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110007, India
| | - Mahesh Kumar
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi-110012, India
- Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110007, India
| | - Geeta Bhatt
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110075, India
- Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110007, India
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Malavika JP, Shobana C, Ragupathi M, Kumar P, Lee YS, Govarthanan M, Selvan RK. A sustainable green synthesis of functionalized biocompatible carbon quantum dots from Aloe barbadensis Miller and its multifunctional applications. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111414. [PMID: 34052245 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we demonstrated a sustainable green approach for the preparation of fluorescent biocompatible carbon quantum dots by microwave-assisted reflux synthesis from Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) extract. The Transmission Electron Microscopic images reveal that the as-prepared CQDs are spherical with less than 5 nm in size. The CQDs are amorphous, showed an excitation-independent behaviour, emitted blue fluorescence and have a fluorescence quantum yield of 31%. The presence of -OH groups contributed to the blue emission and helped CQDs to disperse uniformly in an aqueous solution. The prepared CQDs were employed as a photocatalyst for the environmental remediation to degrade the anionic dye, eosin yellow under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the CQDs exhibited excellent photocatalytic efficiency of 98.55% within 80 min and a 100% efficiency within 100 min. Further, the cytotoxic properties of as-prepared CQDs are investigated in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using MTT assay. The results demonstrated a notable reduction in cell viability in a dose-subjected manner, and the cell viability decreased to 50% (IC50) at a concentration of 52.2 ± 1.35 μg/mL. Furthermore, cellular internalization of CQDs in breast cancer cells is studied. As expected, CQDs are found to internalize by the cancer cells with blue emission as revealed by fluorescence microscope. In the end, CQDs in human breast cancer cells demonstrate the anti-proliferative effect and are found to be an impressive fluorescent probe for live-cell imaging, paving a path for its potential biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalaja Prasad Malavika
- Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), G. N. Mills, Coimbatore, 641 029, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Chellappan Shobana
- Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), G. N. Mills, Coimbatore, 641 029, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Murugesan Ragupathi
- Department of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ponnuchamy Kumar
- Department of Animal Health and Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, India
| | - Yun Sung Lee
- Faculty of Applied Chemical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, South Korea
| | - Muthusamy Govarthanan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
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