Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon dots and polymers

Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon dots (CDs) and polymers have emerged as new materials with integrated properties of individual components, leading to their important applications in the field of soft nanomaterials. This perspective highlights recent advances in the development of nanocomposite hydrogels from CDs and polymers. We review the preparation methods of nanocomposite hydrogels based on CDs and polymers, and emerging applications of these nanocomposite hydrogels such as environmental remediation, energy storage, sensing, drug delivery and bioimaging. We conclude with the discussion of new research directions in the development of new type of nanocomposite hydrogels based on CDs and polymers.