Graphene quantum dots in analytical science

•Graphene quantum dots are fluorescent nanoparticles with unique properties.•Analytical applications of graphene quantum dots.•Graphene quantum dots in development of analytical sensors and biosensors.•Development of analytical techniques based on graphene quantum dots.•Analytical methods needed to determine graphene quantum dots.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are small fluorescent nanoparticles with unique properties that make them attractive tools for research in various fields. We review their state of the art in analytical chemistry and summarize their analytical applications. Also, we deal with GQDs as target analytes, a scarcely explored aspect in analytical nanoscience and nanotechnology, and suggest potential future directions for GQD-based analytical research.