Carbon quantum dots for sustainable energy: enhancing electrocatalytic reactions through structural innovation

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials due to their unique optical, electrical, and catalytic properties, positioning them as key players in electrocatalytic applications. This review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of CQDs, focusing on their electrocatalytic behavior in critical reactions such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR), bifunctional catalysis and liquid fuel electrooxidation. Distinct from prior studies, this study highlights recent innovations in CQD synthesis, including heteroatom doping and defect engineering, and explores their structural properties—like absorbance, photoluminescence, and electroluminescence—that enhance catalytic performance. We elucidate the electrocatalytic mechanisms (e.g., reactant adsorption, electron transfer, and intermediate stabilization) and address challenges such as low conductivity and scalability, proposing advanced strategies like hybridization with transition metals. Additionally, this review uniquely emphasizes the potential of CQDs in bifunctional catalysis and environmental applications, offering fresh insights into their role in advancing sustainable energy technologies.