Carbon dots as building blocks for the construction of functional nanocomposite materials

Carbon dots (CDs) are carbon-based quasi-spherical fluorescent nanoparticles with unique physical and chemical properties. Due to their complexity and diversity, CDs are applied in analytics, sensors, bio-imaging and diagnostics. Stabilizing CDs as well as improving their performances can extend their range of applications; it is desirable to combine them in an appropriate solid matrix or prepare solid-state nanocomposites. In this review, a summary of the research of CD nanocomposites is given. Describes the loading methods of CDs on polymers, metals and their compounds, non-metals and their compounds, and metal organic frameworks, which including electrostatic interactions, covalent bonds, non-covalent bonds or hydrogen bonds. In addition, the working mechanism and application of CD nanomaterials are also introduced. The challenges encountered, potential and prospects with CD nanocomposite are discussed at the end of the article.