Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Vegetable and Fruit Wastes and Their Applications

Fluorescent carbon dots (FCDs) is the youngest member of the carbon nanoparticles family, having superior features such as tunable fluorescent properties, low toxicity, good water solubility, chemical stability, economical and straightforward synthesis methods, and easy functionalization. In the context of these properties, carbon quantum dots are thought to be potential candidates to replace conventional toxic and expensive semiconductor quantum dots. The application areas of these extraordinary zero-dimensional carbon particles have been getting increased day by day. They have been most widely used in sensing, bioimaging, photocatalysis, and optoelectronics applications. In this present chapter, the historical development of FCDs has been mentioned, and brief information about FCDs and their advantages was given. After then, synthesis methods of the FCDs were mentioned. Fluorescence carbon dots can be obtained from a variety of different precursors. Among them, vegetables and fruit as a carbon source is the primary concern of the current review. The fluorescent carbon dots obtained from vegetables and fruit and their waste as a carbon source have been briefly discussed. Further, their applications have been reviewed.