Photoluminescence Properties of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials

Graphene-based nanomaterials—including zero-dimensional graphene quantum dots (GQDs), two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), as well as one-dimensional nanoribbons—exhibit rich photoluminescence arising from quantum confinement, surface defects and functionalisation. Emission wavelengths can be tuned from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared by controlling lateral size, layer number, heteroatom doping and the density of oxygen- or nitrogen-containing groups. Surface states introduced by carboxyl, hydroxyl and epoxide moieties create mid-gap levels that modulate excitation–emission behaviour, while pristine sp2 domains govern band-edge recombination. Advances in synthesis—ranging from hydrothermal and solvothermal routes to top-down exfoliation and confinement-assisted assembly—have improved size uniformity and passivation, yielding quantum yields from under 1 % to over 50 %. The resultant materials find application in bioimaging, chemical sensing, light-emitting devices and solar energy harvesting. A deeper mechanistic understanding now links photoluminescence efficiency to interlayer interactions, edge morphology and chemical environment, paving the way for bespoke nanomaterials with optimised emission properties and stability.

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Photoluminescence Properties of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in photoluminescence properties of graphene-based nanomaterials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Photoluminescence: Emission of light by a material after absorption of photons, resulting from radiative decay from excited electronic states.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs): Nano-sized fragments of graphene (typically <20 nm) in which quantum confinement and edge effects yield discrete energy levels and strong photoluminescence.

Surface states: Electronic levels introduced by functional groups or defects at a material’s surface, which can trap charge carriers and determine emission characteristics.

Quantum yield: The efficiency of photoluminescence, defined as the ratio of emitted to absorbed photons.

References

1. Structure observation of graphene quantum dots by single-layered formation in layered confinement space. Chemical Science (2015).
2. Graphene Oxide: From Tunable Structures to Diverse Luminescence Behaviors. Advanced Science (2019).
3. The Enhanced Photoluminescence Properties of Carbon Dots Derived from Glucose: The Effect of Natural Oxidation. Nanomaterials (2024).