Advances in carbon quantum dot applications:Catalysis, sensing, and biomedical innovations

Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) are an interesting group of nanomaterials known for their unique visual qualities, high biocompatibility, and wide range of surface functions. This review discusses the latest progress made in making CQDs, characterizing them, and using them differently. Innovations in synthetic strategies have led to enhanced control over size, surface structure, and photoluminescence properties, enabling tailored functionalities for specific applications. Key developments in bioimaging and biosensing demonstrate CQDs' potential for high-resolution, non-toxic imaging and sensitive detection of biomolecules. Because they have a lot of surface area and can change their surface chemistry, CQDs have shown promise in environmental science for finding and getting rid of pollutants. In addition, adding them to devices that store and change energy, like solar cells and supercapacitors, has made them more stable and efficient. This review also explores emerging applications in drug delivery, photocatalysis, and optoelectronics, underscoring the vast potential of CQDs in addressing current technological challenges. Future research directions are proposed to overcome the current limitations and expand the application scope of colloidal QDs in various applications.