Functional carbon dots derived from biomass and plastic wastes

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a promising class of zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanomaterials due to their outstanding photoluminescence and electrical properties, along with their non-toxic, non-hazardous, and biocompatible advantages. These unique properties have sparked considerable interest in their applications in various fields. The utilization of biomass and plastic wastes as carbon sources to prepare CDs has become a significant area of research interest in recent years, driven by the increasingly strict environmental regulations and the growing volume of waste generated during production processes. In this context, a comprehensive and timely review of the fabrication, structures, properties, and applications of biomass and plastic wastes-derived CDs would significantly expand this field of research. Here, we present an overview of the fabrication methods of biomass and plastic wastes-derived CDs, employing either a top-down or bottom-up strategy. Furthermore, the most recent advances in the structures and properties of these CDs are highlighted and their utilization in polymer composites derived from biomass and plastic wastes are critically reviewed and summarized. Finally, the pending challenges and prospects for future research on polymer/biomass and plastic wastes-derived CDs composites for various applications are discussed.