Advances in Photoluminescence and Quenching Mechanism of Carbon Dots
- 1Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, Beijing 100029, China
- 2College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs) are zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials with sizes below 10 nm, with high fluorescence quantum yields, variable emission colours, and excellent photostability. Due to their different structural origins and complex surface chemicals, CDs display complex photoluminescence behaviors (PL) and different fluorescence suppression responses. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in understanding the PL mechanisms of CDs, including carbon-core emission, surface emission, molecular emission and crosslink emission. In addition, fluorescence quenching processes triggered by various analytical techniques are discussed, including dynamic quenching, static quenching, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and the inner filter effect (IFE). Emphasis is placed on mechanistic understanding and experimental differentiation strategies. A clear understanding of these fundamental mechanisms is essential for optimizing the fluorescence properties of CDs and the design of highly sensitive and selective fluorescence sensors. Finally, potential research directions and applications of CDs based on these mechanical insights are also highlighted.
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BibTeX
@article{xiong2026advances,
title = {{Advances in Photoluminescence and Quenching Mechanism of Carbon Dots}},
author = {Qingyun Xiong and H.M. Ahsen Ilyas and Weiyu Cao and Jinping Xiong},
journal = {Nanomaterials},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.3390/nano16110686},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16110686},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Advances in Photoluminescence and Quenching Mechanism of Carbon Dots
AU - Qingyun Xiong
AU - H.M. Ahsen Ilyas
AU - Weiyu Cao
AU - Jinping Xiong
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/01
JO - Nanomaterials
DO - 10.3390/nano16110686
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16110686
AB - Carbon dots (CDs) are zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials with sizes below 10 nm, with high fluorescence quantum yields, variable emission colours, and excellent photostability. Due to their different structural origins and complex surface chemicals, CDs display complex photoluminescence behaviors (PL) and different fluorescence suppression responses. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in understanding the PL mechanisms of CDs, including carbon-core emission, surface emission, molecular emission and crosslink emission. In addition, fluorescence quenching processes triggered by various analytical techniques are discussed, including dynamic quenching, static quenching, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and the inner filter effect (IFE). Emphasis is placed on mechanistic understanding and experimental differentiation strategies. A clear understanding of these fundamental mechanisms is essential for optimizing the fluorescence properties of CDs and the design of highly sensitive and selective fluorescence sensors. Finally, potential research directions and applications of CDs based on these mechanical insights are also highlighted.
SN - 2079-4991
ER -