From fullerenes to carbon nanotubes to graphene, carbon-based nanomaterials occupies an important position in the development of modern science and technology due to their superior physical, mechanical and chemical properties. As a new zero-dimensional carbon-based material, carbon dots have attracted great interest since they were accidentally discovered in 2004 because of their excellent luminescence properties and biocompatibility. From the initial blue fluorescent carbon dots to the current carbon dots covering the full spectrum of light; from short-lived fluorescent carbon dots to long-lived phosphorescent and chemiluminescent carbon dots. Luminous quantum efficiency has also increased from less than 10% to more than 90%, becoming an important branch in the field of luminescence. Good luminescence performance and biocompatibility make carbon dots have important application prospects in the fields of light-emitting devices, biological imaging, ion detection, fluorescent inks, and information encryption.
In this context, domestic and foreign researchers have conducted a lot of research on the synthesis, characterization, structure-efficiency and application of carbon dots, and obtained a series of important research results. In order to summarize the research progress in the field of carbon dot luminescence in recent years and promote the cross integration of luminescent carbon dots with various fields, we organized the topic of "Luminescent Carbon Dots".