{
  "abstract": "Gold–graphene quantum dot (Au–GQD) hybrid nanostructures provide a versatile platform for coupling plasmonic light harvesting, quantum-confined carbon states, and interfacial redox activity in solar-to-chemical energy conversion. However, the field remains mechanistically fragmented, and the roles of Au, GQDs, and their evolving interface are often insufficiently distinguished. This review establishes a unified framework linking electronic structure, surface chemistry, interfacial coupling, photon utilization, excited-state partitioning, carrier transport, and surface redox turnover. It critically analyzes how Au size, GQD surface states, heteroatom functionality, contact geometry, and energetic alignment govern structure–property–performance relationships. Available evidence for hydrogen evolution and water splitting is examined alongside supporting studies on plasmonic absorption, hot-electron transfer, and type-II charge separation, while distinguishing direct solar-fuel conversion from indirect optical or photoelectronic responses. The synthesis reveals that productive performance depends not on simple component coexistence, but on function-specific interfacial organization and preservation of redox-competent carriers. Major limitations include inconsistent material identity, structural reconstruction, nonstandardized performance metrics, limited operando validation, and uncertain scalability. The review concludes with design priorities for stable, low-Au, spatially organized architectures and standardized evaluation pathways toward reproducible solar-fuel systems. This is the first dedicated review focusing specifically on Au–GQD hybrid nanostructures for solar-to-chemical energy conversion, providing an integrated analysis of their interfacial physicochemical properties and functional roles.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Innovation, Yuan An BioResearch & Technology Co., Ltd Tainan 718004 Taiwan",
    "Medical Laboratory Techniques Department, College of Health and Medical Technology, University of Al-maarif Anbar Iraq",
    "Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul Aydin University Istanbul Türkiye",
    "Department of Computer Engineering, College of Computer Science, King Khalid University Al-Faraa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia",
    "Head of the Department Physics and Chemistry, Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers National Research University Tashkent Uzbekistan",
    "Scientific Researcher of the University of Tashkent for Applied Science Uzbekistan",
    "School of Engineering, Central Asian University Tashkent 111221 Uzbekistan",
    "Western Caspian University, Scientific Researcher Baku Azerbaijan",
    "Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology Kanpur UP India",
    "Department of Chemistry, University Institute of Sciences, Chandigarh University Mohali Punjab India",
    "Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research, Al-Ahliyya Amman University Amman 19328 Jordan",
    "Department of Biosciences, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Chennai 602105 India",
    "Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University Tehran Iran"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Chou-Yi Hsu",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7105-1161"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Rosull Saadoon Abbood"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Hüseyin Kurt"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Wade Ghribi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7
      ],
      "name": "I. B. Sapaev"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        8
      ],
      "name": "Man Mohan Shukla"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        9
      ],
      "name": "Harvinder Singh Sohal"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        10,
        11
      ],
      "name": "Aseel Smerat"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        12
      ],
      "name": "Taraneh Hieunaz Chavoushi",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-2289-8496"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/frbm164z9ph5b.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1039/d6ra06585f",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13699517/",
  "id": "frbm164z9ph5b",
  "issns": [
    "2046-2069"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1039/d6ra06585f",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-3.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 3.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Chemistry"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2105|Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223683641",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13699517?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13699517",
  "pmid": "42936035",
  "published": "2026-10-26",
  "publisher": "Royal Society of Chemistry",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/frbm164z9ph5b.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:07Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13699517",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1039/d6ra06585f"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:22:12Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42936035",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42936035"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "heading:Chemistry",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Gold–graphene quantum dot hybrid nanostructures for solar-to-chemical energy conversion: interfacial charge dynamics, hydrogen evolution, and water splitting",
  "title_text": "Gold–graphene quantum dot hybrid nanostructures for solar-to-chemical energy conversion: interfacial charge dynamics, hydrogen evolution, and water splitting",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:36:05Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/frbm164z9ph5b",
  "venue": "RSC Advances",
  "versions": []
}