Carbon dots: An innovative luminescent nanomaterial
Yuxin Shi,
Huimin Xu,
Ting Yuan,
Ting Meng,
Hao Wu,
Jianqiao Chang,
Haoyu Wang,
Xianzhi Song,
Yunchao Li,
Xiaohong Li,
Yang Zhang,
Wenjing Xie,
Louzhen Fan
Affiliations
Yuxin Shi
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Huimin Xu
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Ting Yuan
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Ting Meng
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Hao Wu
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Jianqiao Chang
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Haoyu Wang
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Xianzhi Song
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Yunchao Li
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Xiaohong Li
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Yang Zhang
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Wenjing Xie
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Louzhen Fan
College of Chemistry Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Ministry of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
Abstract In recent years, carbon dots (CDs), including carbon nanodots, carbonized polymer dots, carbon quantum dots, and graphene quantum dots have attracted a mounting interest as readily accessible, nontoxic, and relatively inexpensive carbon‐based nanomaterials. Yet, despite intense research for a number of years, a unifying picture is still lacking to clarify the exact definition, clear chemical structure, and unique optical properties of this family of nanomaterials. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent development of CDs from molecular design to related properties of excited states as well as their applications in optoelectronic devices and biology. We point out the current challenges, including exploring precise synthesis, clarifying the structure‐property relationship, and regulating singlet and triplet states of fluorescence, phosphorescence, and delayed fluorescence. Moreover, the structural optimization of optoelectronic devices, tumor targeting mechanism, selective imaging, and drug delivery of CDs are also highlighted. We hope that the information provided in this review will inspire more exciting research on CDs from a brand‐new perspective and promote practical application of CDs in multiple directions of current and future research.