Recent advances in the synthesis of carbon dots from waste materials and their applications in medicine energy storage and environmental clean-up

Recent advances in the synthesis of carbon dots from waste materials and their applications in medicine energy storage and environmental clean-up Review

Journal

Discover Applied Sciences
ISSN: 3004-9261

Output data

Year: 2026, DOI: 10.1007/s42452-026-09238-0

Authors

Yadav Virendra Kumar ¹ , Sokolovskiy Pavel Viktorovich ² , Zairov Rustem ³ , Sinyashin Oleg Geroldovich ³ , Roy Arpita ⁴ , Rai Ashita ⁵ , Fulekar M.H. ⁵ , Choudhary Nisha ⁶

Affiliations

1	Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Marwadi University Research Center, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat, 360003, India
2	N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry RAS, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991
3	Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center RAS, 8 Arbuzov str., Kazan, Russian Federation, 420088
4	Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India
5	Research and Development Cell, Parul University, Wagodia, Vadodara, Gujarat, 391760, India
6	Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat, 360003, India

Biological waste generated from agricultural and other industries is one of the world’s significant challenges. Developing value-added material from such biological waste could be a sustainable and economical solution. Carbon dots (CDs) have recently gained considerable attention across many scientific fields, particularly in medicine, electronics, and environmental cleanup, due to their better electrical and optical properties. This review comprehensively explores the development of carbon dots from organic waste and their properties, emphasizing sustainable, economical approaches. Several synthesis processes, including pyrolysis, solvothermal, hydrothermal, microwave-assisted, and ultrasonic-assisted techniques, are discussed, with a focus on eco-friendly processes that utilize agricultural and organic waste as precursors. These techniques enable control of CD size, surface chemistry, and optical properties, making them applicable to optoelectronics, bioimaging, drug delivery, and sensing. The distinctive photoluminescence, fluorescence, and catalytic properties of CDs position them as viable candidates for applications in the breakdown of organic contaminants, oil–water separation, and CO2 reduction. The review identifies challenges in controlling surface functional groups during synthesis and proposes strategies to optimize the functionalization of CDs for specific applications. Additional research may improve their applicability in technological fields, fostering sustainable practices and advancing a circular economy. As the present review focuses on the valorization of waste and the development of value-added materials for applications in healthcare, clean energy, environmental remediation, and resource-efficient technologies, it aligns with the US Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, and 13.

Yadav V.K. , Sokolovskiy P.V. , Zairov R. , Sinyashin O.G. , Roy A. , Rai A. , Fulekar M.H. , Choudhary N.
Recent advances in the synthesis of carbon dots from waste materials and their applications in medicine energy storage and environmental clean-up
Discover Applied Sciences. 2026. DOI: 10.1007/s42452-026-09238-0 OpenAlex

Submitted:	Apr 12, 2026
Published print:	Jul 29, 2026

≡ OpenAlex:

W7171644586