Composite number

Materials science

Carbon fibers

Physics

Nanotechnology

Carbon quantum dots

Composite material

Quantum dot

Engineering physics

Journal of Materials Chemistry C

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs, C-dots or CDs), which are generally small carbon nanoparticles (less than 10 nm in size) with various unique properties, have found wide use in more and more fields during the last few years. In this feature article, we describe the recent progress in the field of CQDs, focusing on their synthetic methods, size control, modification strategies, photoelectric properties, luminescent mechanism, and applications in biomedicine, optronics, catalysis and sensor issues.

Carbon quantum dots: synthesis, properties and applications