Carbon dots in hydrogels and their applications

Carbon dots (CDs)-embedded hydrogels have emerged as influential soft nanomaterials, due to their integrated properties. This chapter reviews recent developments in the synthetic pathways of CDs composite hydrogels, properties, and applications in different fields. CDs enhance the properties of hydrogel structures, such as their electronic, chemical, photonics, mechanical, and magnetic properties. The characteristics of the CDs and hydrogels with stimuli response are improved by these hybrid materials. CDs composite hydrogels are discussed for their potential use in environmental remediation, energy storage, bio- and chemo-sensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery. In conclusion, future directions for the fabrication and applications of nanocomposite hydrogel based on CDs are discussed.