Carbon dots as photosensitizers: unraveling their ultrafast charge transfer, challenges, and future prospects

exploring the charge transfer dynamics using various advanced optical techniques like steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence and ultrafast transient absorption (TA). This perspective also focuses on understanding the ultrafast dynamics of C-dots, such as charge transfer, charge transport, and charge recombination, in various environments, composites, and hybrid systems, with an emphasis on their development as effective photosensitizers. The extensive range of reported electron donor-acceptor systems underscores the versatility of C-dots as photosensitizers, with their tuneable electronic properties tailored to address the demands of emerging technological challenges.