Carbon quantum dot-based composites for energy storage and electrocatalysis: Mechanism, applications and future prospects. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoang, Van Chinh; Dave, Khyati; Gomes, Vincent G.
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 66(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Carbon quantum dots -- Graphene quantum dots -- Energy storage -- Electro-catalysts -- Electrochemical biosensors; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.104093
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanomaterials such as carbon (CQDs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been attracting attention due to their outstanding properties of biocompatibility, nontoxicity, chemical inertness, tunable photoluminescence, low cost and facile surface functionalization. Their potential applications range from biomedical, drug delivery, environmental, photocatalytic to energy storage sectors. Among these, investigations have largely focused on their behavior in environmental sensing, biosensing, and optoelectronics, yet energy storage and conversion systems are progressing rapidly as new promising methods are emerging to solve some of the outstanding challenges with energy at low cost and environmental footprint. By virtue of their rapid electron transfer and high surface area, CQD/GQDs are desirable in these electrochemical applications. Further, functional groups with rich heteroatoms (oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, boron) on 0D carbon nanomaterials offer desirable active sites for enhanced electrochemical properties. Our review presents recent advances in the fabrication of CQD/GQD based composites for electrochemical systems, their mechanism of action, applications in energy storage (electrochemical capacitors, lithium/sodium ion batteries) and electrocatalysis (oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions, CO2 electroreduction, biofuel cells and electrochemical biosensors) with an analysis of their potential prospects. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Recent advances in carbon nanocomposites for electrochemical systems to replace costly noble metals. Selective heteroatoms in structural network offer enhanced electrochemical behavior. Mechanisms in applications of CQD/GQD based composites for energy storage and electrocatalysis. Biomass for scaled production of carbon nanomaterials with intrinsic heteroatom functional doping.