Comprehensive Insight into the Emerging World of Carbon Dots for Applications in Energy and Metal Ion Sensing

The advancement in carbonaceous materials has paved the way for the emergence of Carbon Dots (CDots), which are fluorescent nanoparticles occurring in various shapes and sizes. Over the past two decades, they have been synthesized by several methods in various forms. The choice of precursors and reaction conditions can be used to tailor the properties of the resultant CDots, as desired. The optoelectronic properties of CDots offer a wide array of choices, which promotes their application in various fields of science and technology, particularly in metal-ion sensing, energy harvesting and storage devices. This review is primarily focused on exploring the applications of CDots in these arenas and upcoming hybrid technologies. The challenges hindering the commercialization of CDots and their current stage of development are discussed in this study. Additionally, potential avenues for improvement are outlined, offering insights into strategies that could accelerate their practical applications and large-scale deployment.