Abstract
Energy and water are the two major issues facing the modern mankind. Providing freshwater requires energy and producing energy uses water. In the present-day scenario, both these routes face growing problems and limitations. Energy crisis has risen due to the depletion of fossil fuels that cause pollution to water bodies making the water unusable for human consumption. In this regard, semiconductor nanocrystals with luminescent properties or carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are the newly developed nanomaterials whose distinctive photo-physical characteristics are focusing to a new generation of robust materials and sensors for sustainable development. In this review, advances in surface and band gap modification of CQDs to improve the activity of nanomaterials will be discussed with special reference to some specific CQDs exhibiting special optical properties for water treatment/splitting applications. Recent advances on CQDs nanocomposites including their applications in photodegradation of organic pollutants, sensing of heavy metal ions in water and water splitting are discussed critically to narrate the future prospects in this field. Challenges and limitations for further improvement are covered to provide smart choices for creating sustainability of benign environment and economic benefits.
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•The review covers the recent work based on carbon quantum dots photocatalysts for sustainable development.•Effect of band gap tuning and surface modification of CQDs is extensively discussed.•Photocatalytic applications of CQDs based hybrids for water treatment and hydrogen production are discussed.•The review also highlights some challenges and limitations for improved catalytic activity of CQDs.