Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots

Daniele Rocco; Vyali Georgian Moldoveanu; Marta Feroci; Martina Bortolami; Fabrizio Vetica

doi:10.1002/celc.202201104

Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots

ChemElectroChem. 2023 Feb 1;10(3):e202201104. doi: 10.1002/celc.202201104. Epub 2023 Jan 11.

Authors

Daniele Rocco¹, Vyali Georgian Moldoveanu², Marta Feroci³, Martina Bortolami³, Fabrizio Vetica²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanic and Aerospace Engineering Sapienza University of Rome via Eudossiana Roma, 18 0084 Rome Italy.
² Department of Chemistry Sapienza University of Rome piazzale Aldo Moro, 5 00185 Rome Italy.
³ Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering (SBAI) Sapienza University of Rome via Castro Laurenziano, 7 00161 Rome Italy.

Abstract

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) are "small" carbon nanostructures with excellent photoluminescence properties, together with low-toxicity, high biocompatibility, excellent dispersibility in water as well as organic solvents. Due to their characteristics, CDs have been studied for a plethora of applications as biosensors, luminescent probes for photodynamic and photothermal therapy, fluorescent inks and many more. Moreover, the possibility to obtain carbon dots from biomasses and/or organic waste has strongly promoted the interest in this class of carbon-based nanoparticles, having a promising impact in the view of circular economy and sustainable processes. Within this context, electrochemistry proved to be a green, practical, and efficient method for the synthesis of high-quality CDs, with the possibility to fine-tune their characteristics by changing operational parameters. This review outlines the principal and most recent advances in the electrochemical synthesis of CDs, focusing on the electrochemical set-up optimization.

Keywords: carbon nanoparticles; carbon quantum dots; electrochemical sensors; electrochemistry; fluorescent carbon dots.

Publication types

Review