Improving the functionality of carbon nanodots: doping and surface functionalization

Abstract

Distinct from conventional carbon nanostructures, such as fullerene, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, carbon nanodots (C-dots) exhibit unique properties such as strong fluorescence, high photostability, chemical inertness, low toxicity, and biocompatibility. Various synthetic routes for C-dots have been developed in the last few years, and now intense research efforts have been focused on improving their functionality. In this aspect, doping and surface functionalization are two major ways to control the chemical, optical, and electrical properties of C-dots. Doping introduces atomic impurities into C-dots to modulate their electronic structure, and surface functionalization modifies the C-dot surface with functional molecules or polymers. In this review, we summarize recent progress in doping and surface functionalization of C-dots for improving their functionality, and offer insight into controlling the properties of C-dots for a variety of applications ranging from biomedicine to optoelectronics to energy.

Customizing the Electrochemical Properties of Carbon Nanodots by Using Quinones in Bottom‐Up Synthesis

“…[22][23][24][25] Additionally,w es howed that the CND emission can be tailored through arational choice of organic precursors. [22][23][24][25] Additionally,w es howed that the CND emission can be tailored through arational choice of organic precursors.…”

Facile synthesis of N-rich carbon quantum dots from porphyrins as efficient probes for bioimaging and biosensing in living cells

“…[10][11][12][13] To improve the fluorescent properties of CQDs, two kinds of modifications including surface functionalization and heteroatom doping were proposed. [14][15][16] In 2006, Sun et al first proved that surface passivation of CQDs with poly(ethylene) glycol diamine can remarkably enhance their fluorescence quantum yields. [17][18][19][20] More recently, heteroatom-doped CQDs have attracted much attention, as they can effectively modulate the intrinsic properties of CQDs, such as electronic characteristics and local surface chemical features, and sometimes may provide CQDs with additional properties.…”

Understanding Heteroatom-Mediated Metal–Support Interactions in Functionalized Carbons: A Perspective Review

“…A common approach in surface engineering is functionalization, aiming to introduce a functional component that is able to confer novel properties to the material [16,17]. In most cases, the surface functionalization results in the incorporation of heteroatoms (commonly boron, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur) in the carbon framework [18][19][20][21]. Functional groups can be attached on the surface of carbon materials conclude with a collection of examples reporting the role of heteroatoms in enhancing metal-support interactions in catalysis.…”