Graphene quantum dots: synthesis, properties, and applications to the development of optical and electrochemical sensors for chemical sensing

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) Vol. 189; no. 7; p. 258
• Main Authors: Nesakumar, Noel, Srinivasan, Soorya, Alwarappan, Subbiah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.07.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Biomarkers; Biosensors; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical sensors; Chemiluminescence; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Electrochemiluminescence; Energy transfer; Fluorescence; Graphene; Graphite; Innovations; Microengineering; Nanochemistry; Nanotechnology; Optical properties; Photoluminescence; Quantum dots; Review Article; Sensors; Synthesis; Technology application; Toxins; GQDs; Optical sensor; Top-down approach; Bottom-up approach; Electrochemical sensor
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-022-05353-y

GQDs exhibits exceptional electrochemical activity owing to their active edge sites that make them very attractive for biosensing applications. However, their use in the design of new biosensing devices for application to the detection and quantification of toxins, pathogens, and clinical biomarkers has so far not investigated in detail. In this regard, herein we provide a detailed review on various methodologies employed for the synthesis of GQDs, including bottom-up and top-down approaches, with a special focus on their applications in biosensing via fluorescence, photoluminescence, chemiluminescence, electrochemiluminescence, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and electrochemical techniques. We believe that this review will shed light on the critical issues and widen the applications of GQDs for the design of biosensors with improved analytical response for future applications. Highlights • Properties of GQDs play a critical role in biosensing applications. • Synthesis of GQDs using top-down and bottom-up approaches is discussed comprehensively. • Overview of advancements in GQD-based sensors over the last decade. • Methods for the design of selective and sensitive GQD-based sensors. • Challenges and opportunities for future GQD-based sensors. Graphical abstract