Enhancement of graphene quantum dots based applications via optimum physical chemistry: A review

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is a promising new substance from the carbon material family that has been attracting researchers of many fields, such as biomedical sensors, medical imaging, polymer science, solar cells, light emitting diodes, and photoelectrons. Its unique electrical and mechanical properties could encourage its usage due to its low cost, high surface area, safety, stable luminescence, excellent biocompatibility, suitable conductivity, and low toxicity. The dispersibility of GQDs in common solvents depends on hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, which is particularly important toward its homogeneous incorporation into various polymer layers. This review discusses the global demand for GQDs and explore the main factors encouraging its utilization in various devices. Moreover, different synthesis methods of GQDs were compared, and recent investigation on GQDs based composite applications are analyzed. Finally, the future of GQDs is detailed, focusing on the gaps in its role in future technology.