Green and Environment-Friendly Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) with State-of-the-Art Performance for Sustainable Energy Conversion and Storage

Abstract

In this period of technological development, there is a pressing need for more sustainable and ecologically friendly sources of energy that can provide a real-world alternative to highly hazardous, scarce, and expensive conventional materials utilized for energy applications. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can be used in this context since they have superior optical qualities and have been used in supercapacitors, capacitors, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and other applications. There has been never-ending progress in the greener synthesis of novel GQDs over the last decade, including several top-down and bottom-up techniques using various green precursors. The green synthesis of GQDs and their applications in sustainable energy conversion and storage are described in this chapter. Several methods for the synthesis and modifications of GQDs are detailed. This chapter will cover the way for access to novel and advanced carbonaceous materials for use in energy applications, predominantly through green chemistry-based synthetic techniques. In addition, the advantages of employing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for long-term energy storage applications are highlighted. Lastly, the challenges, as well as their prospects, are briefly discussed.