An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots

In the ever-advancing field of nanotechnology and nanoscience, luminescent carbon dots, or carbon quantum dots, have emerged as one of the most up-and-coming carbon-based nanomaterials in recent years due to their diverse physicochemical properties, which include low toxicity, ease of synthesis, sup...

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Main Authors: Sanjeev Kumar, Jyoti Gaur, Sandeep Kaushal, Jasvir Dalal, Mrinmoy Misra, Harpreet Kaur, Supreet Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Gautam Singh, Gurjinder Singh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Crystals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/4/320
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author Sanjeev Kumar
Jyoti Gaur
Sandeep Kaushal
Jasvir Dalal
Mrinmoy Misra
Harpreet Kaur
Supreet Kaur
Navneet Kaur
Gautam Singh
Gurjinder Singh
author_facet Sanjeev Kumar
Jyoti Gaur
Sandeep Kaushal
Jasvir Dalal
Mrinmoy Misra
Harpreet Kaur
Supreet Kaur
Navneet Kaur
Gautam Singh
Gurjinder Singh
author_sort Sanjeev Kumar
collection DOAJ
description In the ever-advancing field of nanotechnology and nanoscience, luminescent carbon dots, or carbon quantum dots, have emerged as one of the most up-and-coming carbon-based nanomaterials in recent years due to their diverse physicochemical properties, which include low toxicity, ease of synthesis, superior photostability, excellent water solubility, high specific surface areas with ease of surface functionalization, and unique electronic and optical properties. They exhibit two-photon absorption and unique tunable fluorescence emission across a wide range of wavelengths, which can be precisely controlled by surface modifications and particle size. These characteristics have led to their widespread usage in a variety of applications, including optical/fluorescent sensing, electrochemical sensing, and energy-related fields, such as light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic supercapacitors, bioimaging, drug delivery, and antimicrobial research. Recently, focus has shifted to the green synthesis of carbon dots, with significant success achieved in this area, opening a plethora of opportunities in both basic and applied sciences. This review is a comprehensive study of milestones achieved in the area of green carbon dots. This review starts with the historical background of luminescent materials and how carbon dots/carbon quantum dots have been emerging as the stars among all luminescent nanomaterials. The challenges of conventional synthesis methods for nanoparticles are also discussed, with a detailed review of the various green synthesis processes reported to date. This section provides insights into widely accepted formation mechanisms and their influence on the shapes and sizes of CDs. In the next section, various physical properties of CDs are discussed, highlighting characteristics such as high quantum yield, photoluminescence stability, and chemical inertness, which make them exceptional nanomaterials. Last but not least, various CD-related challenges and future prospects are highlighted. Overall, this review provides details of recent developments in the area of green CDs.
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spelling doaj-art-4b6fdb8bb3674142ae2946a8025c7f3d2025-08-20T02:28:28ZengMDPI AGCrystals2073-43522025-03-0115432010.3390/cryst15040320An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon DotsSanjeev Kumar0Jyoti Gaur1Sandeep Kaushal2Jasvir Dalal3Mrinmoy Misra4Harpreet Kaur5Supreet Kaur6Navneet Kaur7Gautam Singh8Gurjinder Singh9Department of Physics, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali 140413, IndiaSchool of Basic and Applied Sciences, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh 147301, IndiaRegional Institute of Education, NCERT, Ajmer 305004, Rajasthan, IndiaDepartment of Physics Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110015, IndiaMechatronics Engineering Department, School of Auto Mobile, Mechanical and Mechatronics, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur 303007, Rajasthan, IndiaDepartment of Physics, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali 140413, IndiaAmity School of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Gurugram 122412, Haryana, IndiaDepartment of Physics, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib 140406, IndiaDepartment of Applied Physics, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, IndiaDepartment of Electrical and Electronics and Communication Engineering, DIT University, Dehradun 248009, IndiaIn the ever-advancing field of nanotechnology and nanoscience, luminescent carbon dots, or carbon quantum dots, have emerged as one of the most up-and-coming carbon-based nanomaterials in recent years due to their diverse physicochemical properties, which include low toxicity, ease of synthesis, superior photostability, excellent water solubility, high specific surface areas with ease of surface functionalization, and unique electronic and optical properties. They exhibit two-photon absorption and unique tunable fluorescence emission across a wide range of wavelengths, which can be precisely controlled by surface modifications and particle size. These characteristics have led to their widespread usage in a variety of applications, including optical/fluorescent sensing, electrochemical sensing, and energy-related fields, such as light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic supercapacitors, bioimaging, drug delivery, and antimicrobial research. Recently, focus has shifted to the green synthesis of carbon dots, with significant success achieved in this area, opening a plethora of opportunities in both basic and applied sciences. This review is a comprehensive study of milestones achieved in the area of green carbon dots. This review starts with the historical background of luminescent materials and how carbon dots/carbon quantum dots have been emerging as the stars among all luminescent nanomaterials. The challenges of conventional synthesis methods for nanoparticles are also discussed, with a detailed review of the various green synthesis processes reported to date. This section provides insights into widely accepted formation mechanisms and their influence on the shapes and sizes of CDs. In the next section, various physical properties of CDs are discussed, highlighting characteristics such as high quantum yield, photoluminescence stability, and chemical inertness, which make them exceptional nanomaterials. Last but not least, various CD-related challenges and future prospects are highlighted. Overall, this review provides details of recent developments in the area of green CDs.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/4/320green synthesisCDsphotocatalysismetal ion sensors
spellingShingle Sanjeev Kumar
Jyoti Gaur
Sandeep Kaushal
Jasvir Dalal
Mrinmoy Misra
Harpreet Kaur
Supreet Kaur
Navneet Kaur
Gautam Singh
Gurjinder Singh
An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots
Crystals
green synthesis
CDs
photocatalysis
metal ion sensors
title An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots
title_full An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots
title_fullStr An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots
title_full_unstemmed An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots
title_short An Insight into Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Applications of Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots
title_sort insight into synthesis optical properties and applications of green fluorescent carbon dots
topic green synthesis
CDs
photocatalysis
metal ion sensors
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/4/320
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