journal article·2021-09-12Open access

Carbon Dot/Polymer Composites with Various Precursors and Their Sensing Applications: A Review

Muhammad Zulfajri, Sri Sudewi, Sri Ismulyati, Akhtar Rasool, Muhammad Adlim, Genin Gary Huang

Coatings· Volume 11· Issue 9

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) have generated much interest because of their significant fluorescence (FL) properties, extraordinary photophysical attributes, and long-term colloidal stability. CDs have been regarded as a prospective carbon nanomaterial for various sensing applications because of their low toxicity, strong and broad optical absorption, high chemical stability, rapid transfer properties, and easy modification. To improve their functionality, CD/polymer composites have been developed by integrating polymers into CDs. CD/polymer composites have diversified because of their easy preparation and applications in sensing, optoelectronics, semiconductors, molecular delivery, and various commercial fields. Many review articles are available regarding the preparation and applications of CDs. Some review articles describing the production and multiple applications of the composites are available. However, no such article has focused on the types of precursors, optical properties, coating characteristics, and specific sensing applications of CD/polymer composites. This review aimed to highlight and summarize the current progress of CD/polymer composites in the last five years (2017–2021). First, we overview the precursors used for deriving CDs and CD/polymer composites, synthesis methods for preparing CDs and CD/polymer composites, and the optical properties (absorbance, FL, emission color, and quantum yield) and coating characteristics of the composites. Most carbon and polymer precursors were dominated by synthetic precursors, with citric acid and polyvinyl alcohol widely utilized as carbon and polymer precursors, respectively. Hydrothermal treatment for CDs and interfacial polymerization for CDs/polymers were frequently performed. The optical properties of CDs and CD/polymer composites were almost identical, denoting that the optical characters of CDs were well-maintained in the composites. Then, the chemical, biological, and physical sensing applications of CD/polymer composites are categorized and discussed. The CD/polymer composites showed good performance as chemical, biological, and physical sensors for numerous targets based on FL quenching efficiency. Finally, remaining challenges and future perspectives for CD/polymer composites are provided.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications · Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications · Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Chemistry Education, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh 23245, Indonesia

Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan

Department of Pharmacy, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado 95115, Indonesia

Department of Environmental Sciences, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India

Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Science, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia

Chemistry Department, FKIP, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia

Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan

Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan

Funding

Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan · Kaohsiung Medical University

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