Metal ions doped carbon quantum dots: Synthesis, physicochemical properties, and their applications

As an efficient method to improve the intrinsic properties of carbon quantum dots (CQDs), doping CQDs with heteroatoms including nonmetallic atoms and metal ions recently receive great attention. Since the summary about the achievements of CQDs doping with nonmetallic atoms has been carried out. In this minireview, we will overview the state-of-the-art knowledge of metal ions doped-CQDs (M-CQDs). The synthetic routes for M-CQDs, the novel physicochemical properties originating from their unique morphology and constitute, and their applications in environmental, biological and energy-related areas will be summarized and highlighted. The review aims to provide new insights into the exploration of the methods in order to improve the functionality of M-CQDs, the relationship between newly novel physicochemical properties and metal ions doping, as well as their possible applications in future.