title: Carbon quantum dots and applications in photocatalytic energy conversion.
abstract: Quantum dots (QDs) generally refer to nanoscale particles of conventional semiconductors that are subject to the quantum-confinement effect, though other nanomaterials of similar optical and redox properties are also named as QDs even in the absence of strictly defined quantum confinement. Among such nanomaterials that have attracted tremendous recent interest are carbon dots, which are small carbon nanoparticles with some form of surface passivation, and graphene quantum dots in various configurations. In this article, we highlight these carbon-based QDs by focusing on their syntheses, on their photoexcited state properties and redox processes, and on their applications as photocatalysts in visible-light carbon dioxide reduction and in water-splitting, as well as on their mechanistic similarities and differences.
authors.affiliation: ‡Energy Technology and Materials Division, University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469, United States.
authors.forename: K A Shiral
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fernando
authors.affiliation: §Department of Chemistry and Laboratory for Emerging Materials and Technology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States, and.
authors.forename: Sushant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahu
authors.affiliation: §Department of Chemistry and Laboratory for Emerging Materials and Technology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States, and.
authors.forename: Yamin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: ⊥Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433, United States.
authors.forename: William K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: ‡Energy Technology and Materials Division, University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469, United States.
authors.forename: Elena A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Guliants
authors.affiliation: §Department of Chemistry and Laboratory for Emerging Materials and Technology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States, and.
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jafariyan
authors.affiliation: §Department of Chemistry and Laboratory for Emerging Materials and Technology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States, and.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: ⊥Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bunker
authors.affiliation: ‡Energy Technology and Materials Division, University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469, United States.
authors.forename: Ya-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Sun
keywords: CO2 photoreduction; carbon dots; graphene quantum dots; photocatalysts; quantum dots; water-splitting