Electrocatalytic Activity of Asymmetrical Cobalt Phthalocyanines in the Presence of N Doped Graphene Quantum Dots: The Push‐pull Effects of Substituents

A series of Co phthalocyanine (CoPc) derivatives and their respective nitrogen doped graphene quantum dot conjugates were used as catalysts towards the electrooxidation of hydrazine. Using a glassy carbon electrode as a support for the electrocatalysts, through cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, the effects of combining the CoPcs with the nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) were studied. The general observations made were that the NGQDs improve the catalytic activity of the CoPcs in both the π‐π stacked and covalently linked conjugates by increasing the sensitivities and lowering the limits of detection with values as low as 0.43 μM being recorded.     

Electrocatalytic Activity of Nanocomposites of Sulphur Doped Graphene Oxide and Nanosized Cobalt Phthalocyanines

In this work we explore the electrocatalytic activity of nanocomposites of reduced sulphur doped graphene oxide nanosheets (rSDGONS) and cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) or cobalt tetra amino phthalocyanine (CoTAPc) towards hydrogen peroxide. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photon spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, chronoamperometry, linear scan voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the nanocomposites. Nanosized CoPc showed superior (in terms of currents) electrocatalytic oxidation and reduction of hydrogen peroxide compared to CoTAPc nanoparticles (CoTAPc NP ). The lowest detection limit was obtained for hydrogen peroxide oxidation on electrodes modified with CoPc NP ‐rSDGONS at 1.49 µM. The same electrode gave a high adsorption equilibrium constant of 1.27×10³ mol^?1 and a Gibbs free energy of ?17.71 kJ/mol, indicative of a spontaneous reaction on the electrode surface.     

Size Effect of Graphene Quantum Dots on Photoluminescence

High-photoluminescence (PL) graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal process, then separated by dialysis bags of different molecular weights. Four separated GQDs of varying sizes were obtained and displayed different PL intensities. With the decreasing size of separated GQDs, the intensity of the emission peak becomes much stronger. Finally, the GQDs of the smallest size revealed the most energetic PL intensity in four separated GQDs. The PL energy of all the separated GQDs shifted slightly, supported by density functional theory calculations.     

Unusual Assembly and Conversion of Graphene Quantum Dots into Crystalline Graphite Nanocapsules

The development of a facile strategy for conversion of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) into crystalline graphite is of great practical significance and still remains challenging. Herein, rationally assembled crystalline‐intercrossed graphite nanocapsules (CI‐GNCs) have been realized by a one‐step electrochemically induced strategy with the assistance of a soft template, in which the GQDs act as the initial building blocks. The as‐prepared CI‐GNCs exhibit highly crystalline graphitic nanostructures. Moreover, they possess promising electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reaction reduction (ORR) in alkaline medium. This simple fabrication technology presents a great advance for synthesizing CI‐GNCs composite catalysts, which have potential as new metal‐free catalysts for efficient ORR applications.     

Unilamellar Vesicles from Amphiphilic Graphene Quantum Dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted considerable interest due to their unique physicochemical properties and various applications. For the first time it is shown that GQDs surface‐functionalized with hydrocarbon chains (i.e., amphiphilic GQDs) self‐assemble into unilamellar spherical vesicles in aqueous solution. The amphiphilic GQD vesicles exhibit multicolor luminescence that can be readily exploited for membrane studies by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. The GQD vesicles were used for microscopic analysis of membrane interactions and disruption by the peptide beta‐amyloid.     

A Supramolecular Polymer Network of Graphene Quantum Dots

Graphene quantum dot (GQD)–organic hybrid compounds (GQD‐ 2 b – e ) were prepared by introducing 3,4,5‐tri(hexadecyloxy)benzyl groups (C16) and linear chains terminated with a 2‐ureido‐4‐[1H]‐pyrimidinone (UPy) moiety onto the periphery of GQD‐ 1 . GQD‐ 2 b – e formed supramolecular assemblies through hydrogen bonding between the UPy units. GPC analysis showed that GQDs with high loadings of the UPy group formed larger assemblies, and this trend was confirmed by DOSY and viscosity measurements. AFM images showed the polymeric network structures of GQD‐ 2 e on mica with flat structures (ca. 1.1 nm in height), but no such structures were observed in GQD‐ 2 a , which only carries the C16 group. GQD‐ 2 c and GQD‐ 2 d formed organogels in n‐decanol, and the gelation properties can be altered by replacing the alkyl chains in the UPy group with ethylene glycol chains (GQD‐ 3 ). GQD can thus be used as a platform for supramolecular polymers and organogelators by suitable chemical functionalization.     

Electrocatalytic Behavior of Manganese and Cobalt Porphyrins Attached to Graphene Quantum Dots: Applied in the Oxidation of Hydrazine

Manganese and cobalt metalated 5, 10, 15-tris(aminophenyl)-20-(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrins (ClMnTA₃CPP and CoTA₃CPP) were synthesized and attached to graphene quantum dots (GQDs) via π-π interaction and electrostatic interaction. The electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine was performed via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The CoTA₃CPP showed good electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrazine in terms of catalytic rate constants and limits of detection (LoD). ClMnTA₃CPP showed lower overpotential 0.60 V. The introduction of GQDs improved the electrocatalytic ability when combined with CoTA₃CPP and ClMnTA₃CPP with the lowest LoD (0.0025 mM CoTA₃CPP–GQDs) followed by ClMnTA₃CPP–GQDs with 0.0033 mM.     

Chemical Functionalisation and Photoluminescence of Graphene Quantum Dots

Chemical modification of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can influence their physical and chemical properties; hence, the investigation of the effect of organic functional groups on GQDs is of importance for developing GQD–organic hybrid materials. Three peripherally functionalised GQDs having a third‐generation dendritic wedge (GQD‐ 2 ), long alkyl chains (GQD‐ 3 ) and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane group (GQD‐ 4 ) were prepared by the Cu^I‐catalysed Huisgen cycloaddition reaction of GQD‐ 1 with organic azides. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that reduction occurred on the surfaces of GQD‐ 1 – 4 and on the five‐membered imide rings at the periphery, and this suggested that the functional groups distort the periphery by steric interactions between neighbouring functional groups. The HOMO–LUMO bandgaps of GQD‐ 1 – 4 were estimated to be approximately 2 eV, and their low‐lying LUMO levels (<?3.9 eV) were lower than that of phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester, an n‐type organic semiconductor. The solubility of GQD‐ 1 – 4 in organic solvents depends on the functional groups present. The functional groups likely cover the surfaces and periphery of the GQDs, and thus increase their affinity for solvent and avoid precipitation. Similar to GQD‐ 2 , both GQD‐ 3 and GQD‐ 4 emitted white light upon excitation at 360 nm. Size‐exclusion chromatography demonstrated that white‐light emission originates from the coexistence of differently sized GQDs that have different photoluminescence emission wavelengths.     

ZnO Quantum Dots Coupled with Graphene toward Electrocatalytic N2 Reduction: Experimental and DFT Investigations

Electrochemical reduction of N₂ to NH₃ is a promising method for artificial N₂ fixation, but it requires efficient and robust electrocatalysts to boost the N₂ reduction reaction (NRR). Herein, a combination of experimental measurements and theoretical calculations revealed that a hybrid material in which ZnO quantum dots (QDs) are supported on reduced graphene oxide (ZnO/RGO) is a highly active and stable catalyst for NRR under ambient conditions. Experimentally, ZnO/RGO was confirmed to favor N₂ adsorption due to the largely exposed active sites of ultrafine ZnO QDs. DFT calculations disclosed that the electronic coupling of ZnO with RGO resulted in a considerably reduced activation-energy barrier for stabilization of *N₂H, which is the rate-limiting step of the NRR. Consequently, ZnO/RGO delivered an NH₃ yield of 17.7 μg h⁻¹ mg⁻¹ and a Faradaic efficiency of 6.4 % in 0.1 m Na₂SO₄ at −0.65 V (vs. RHE), which compare favorably to those of most of the reported NRR catalysts and thus demonstrate the feasibility of ZnO/RGO for electrocatalytic N₂ fixation.     

Fluorescence and Sensing Applications of Graphene Oxide and Graphene Quantum Dots: A Review

Graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots are attractive fluorophores that are inexpensive, nontoxic, photostable, water‐soluble, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. They find extensive applications in fluorescent biosensors and chemosensors, in which they serve as either fluorophores or quenchers. As fluorophores, they display tunable photoluminescence emission and the “giant red‐edge effect”. As quenchers, they exhibit a remarkable quenching efficiency through either electron transfer or Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process. In this review, the origin of fluorescence and the mechanism of excitation wavelength‐dependent fluorescence of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots are discussed. Sensor design strategies based on graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots are presented. The applications of these sensors in health care, the environment, agriculture, and food safety are highlighted.     

Additive-Free Electrophoretic Deposition of Graphene Quantum Dots Thin Films

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of graphene-based materials on transparent substrates is highly potential for many applications. Several factors can determine the yield of the EPD process, such as applied voltage, deposition time and particularly the presence of dispersion additives (stabilisers) in the suspension solution. This study presents an additive-free EPD of graphene quantum dot (GQD) thin films on an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate and studies the deposition mechanism with the variation of the applied voltage (10–50 V) and deposition time (5–25 min). It is found that due to the small size (≈3.9 nm) and high content of deprotonated carboxylic groups, the GQDs form a stable dispersion (zeta-potential of about −35 mV) without using additives. The GQD thin films can be deposited onto ITO with optimal surface morphology at 30 V in 5 min (surface roughness of approximately (3.1±1.3) nm). In addition, as-fabricated GQD thin films also possess some interesting physico-optical properties, such as a double-peak photoluminescence at about λ=417 and 439 nm, with approximately 98 % visible transmittance. This low-cost and eco-friendly GQD thin film is a promising material for various applications, for example, transparent conductors, supercapacitors and heat conductive films in smart windows.     

Chlorine Modulation Fluorescent Performance of Seaweed-Derived Graphene Quantum Dots for Long-Wavelength Excitation Cell-Imaging Application

Biological imaging is an essential means of disease diagnosis. However, semiconductor quantum dots that are used in bioimaging applications comprise toxic metal elements that are nonbiodegradable, causing serious environmental problems. Herein, we developed a novel ecofriendly solvothermal method that uses ethanol as a solvent and doping with chlorine atoms to prepare highly fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from seaweed. The GQDs doped with chlorine atoms exhibit high-intensity white fluorescence. Thus, their preliminary application in bioimaging has been confirmed. In addition, clear cell imaging could be performed at an excitation wavelength of 633 nm.     

石墨烯量子点在储能器件中的应用

石墨烯量子点(GQDs)作为新型碳基材料,由于其纳米级小尺寸而具有比表面积大、导电性高、透明性好、荧光性能独特等优点,是一种极具潜力的储能器件电极材料。GQDs与金属化合物、碳材料等形成具有三维空间结构的复合材料,有利于电子扩散和离子传输,大幅度改善GQDs作为电极材料的实际应用性能。异原子掺杂型GQDs可提供较多活性位点,提高活性物质利用率。本文介绍了GQDs的合成策略,主要分为自上而下和自下而上法。不同制备方法对GQDs的粒径大小、表面缺陷位点和荧光特性等的影响也不尽相同。通过阐述近几年GQDs、掺杂型GQDs及其复合物在超级电容器、锂离子电池、太阳能电池等能源器件方面的应用实例,表明具有量子限域效应和边界效应的GQDs基材料在新型储能器件中有巨大的应用潜力;通过深层剖析GQDs复合物的空间结构对储能器件电化学性能的影响,为今后深入研究奠定基础。此外,指出未来GQDs的发展方向是寻找快速、绿色环保的大批量合成方法,均匀、有效的掺杂或复合以及构建独特空间结构的电极材料,进一步提高其应用于储能器件时的电化学性能。     

Solution‐Processable Graphene Quantum Dots

This minireview describes recent progress in solution‐processable graphene quantum dots (SGQDs). Advances in the preparation, modification, properties, and applications of SGQDs are highlighted in detail. As one of emerging nanostructured materials, possible ongoing research related to the precise control of the lateral size, edge structure and surface functionality; the manipulation and characterization; the relationship between the properties and structure; and interfaces with biological systems of SGQDs have been speculated upon.     

石墨烯量子点负载银纳米粒子制备及氧还原电催化活性

银基氧还原电催化剂具有较高的电催化活性且价格相对低廉,因而受到广泛关注. 本文采用简单、预先合成的石墨烯量子点作为载体和还原剂,制得了负载于石墨烯量子点、且无保护剂和表面活性剂的表面洁净银纳米粒子（Ag NPs/GQDs）. 电化学研究表明,Ag NPs/GQDs复合电催化剂的氧还原有较高的电催化活性,氧在碱性溶液中可经4电子途径还原为水. 与商业铂碳电极（Pt/C）相比,AgNPs/GQDs电极具有高催化电流密度、良好稳定性和极佳抗甲醇性能. 该银纳米粒子对开发高性能和低成本的非铂氧还原电催化剂有潜在的应用前景.     

Diverse Nanoassemblies of Graphene Quantum Dots and Their Mineralogical Counterparts

Complex structures from nanoparticles are found in rocks, soils, and sea sediments but the mechanisms of their formation are poorly understood, which causes controversial conclusions about their genesis. Here we show that graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can assemble into complex structures driven by coordination interactions with metal ions commonly present in environment and serve a special role in Earth's history, such as Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺. GQDs self‐assemble into mesoscale chains, sheets, supraparticles, nanoshells, and nanostars. Specific assembly patterns are determined by the effective symmetry of the GQDs when forming the coordination assemblies with the metal ions. As such, maximization of the electronic delocalization of π‐orbitals of GQDs with Fe³⁺ leads to GQD‐Fe‐GQD units with D₂ symmetry, dipolar bonding potential, and linear assemblies. Taking advantage of high electron microscopy contrast of carbonaceous nanostructures in respect to ceramic background, the mineralogical counterparts of GQD assemblies are found in mineraloid shungite. These findings provide insight into nanoparticle dynamics during the rock formation that can lead to mineralized structures of unexpectedly high complexity.     

Graphene Nanosheets and Quantum Dots: A Smart Material for Electrochemical Applications

A novel material for the electrochemical determination of endocrine disruptors using a composite based on graphene oxide modified with cadmium telluride quantum dots has been evaluated. The morphology, structure and electrochemical performance of the composite electrodes were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV‐visible absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, Raman spectra and cyclic voltammetry. The dynamic light scattering, transmission electronic microscopy and spectrophotometric measurements all showed good distribution of the quantum dots with a small particle size. The electrochemical measurements demonstrated the high performance of the composite response in the presence of a light source. Differential pulse voltammetry allowed the development of a method to determine 17β‐estradiol levels in the range from 0.2 to 4.0 μmol L ^?1 with a detection limit of 2.8 nmol L ^?1 (0.76 μg L ^?1).     

石墨烯量子点在生化分析中的应用研究进展

介绍了石墨烯量子点（GQDs）在生化分析领域如生物分子检测、金属离子检测、细菌检测、细胞成像、组织成像以及活体成像等方面的最新研究动态。     

Effects of Edge Oxidation on the Stability and Half‐Metallicity of Graphene Quantum Dots

A comprehensive first‐principles theoretical study of the electronic properties and half‐metallic nature of zigzag edge‐oxidized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is carried out by using density functional theory (DFT) with the screened exchange hybrid functional of Heyd, Scuseria and Ernzerhof (HSE06). The oxidation schemes include ‐OH, ‐COOH and ‐COO groups. We identify oxidized GQDs whose opposite spins are localized at the two zigzag edges in an antiferromagnetic‐type configuration, showing a spin‐polarized ground state. Oxidized GQDs are more stable than the corresponding fully hydrogenated GQDs. The partially hydroxylated and carboxylated GQDs with the same size exhibit half‐metallic state under almost the same electric‐field intensity whereas fully oxidized GQDs behave as spin‐selective semiconductors. The electric‐field intensity inducing the half metal increases with the length of the partially oxidized GQDs, ranging from M=4 to 7.