Carbon dots : Chemistry, properties and applications

Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad-211 004, Uttar Pradesh, India E-mail : pkd_437@yahoo.com Carbon dots (C-dots) are a new class of carbon nanomaterials having size of less than 10 nm. C-dots have been emerged as a star in field of fundamental and technical importance due to its alluring properties. Here in this paper, we have described synthetic routes for fabrication of C-dots. There are several methods for the synthesis of carbon dots, but in this report we have mainly emphasized on hydrothermal, solvothermal and microwave methods. Since these methods are very simple, fast, cost-effective and also do not require very high temperature hence energy efficient and environment friendly. The toxicity concerns can also be overcome with use of green precursors. These methods have also proved very efficient in upgradation of waste material and up cycling of negatively valued product into valuable product. Properties of C-dots such as structure, optical properties, chemiluminescence, electochemiluminescence, in vitro and in vivo toxicity have been briefly discussed. Further, applications of C-dots in biomedical field and environment concern have also been discussed