Zero Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials

Zero-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials: Material Design Methods, Properties and Applications covers advances in carbon dots, graphene quantum dots, carbon quantum dots, fullerenes and their applications. This book explores important aspects of preparing these materials for specific applications and includes an overview of the most relevant synthesis methods, with special emphasis on newer green methods and material synthesis from biomass sources. Thorough discussion of the materials key properties, including unique optical and electronic properties to enable them for a wide range of applications is included, along with applications in the fields of photovoltaic cells, catalysis, sensors, biomedical, nano devices and energy storage. This book is suitable for researchers and practitioners in materials science and engineering and may also be helpful for chemists and chemical engineers. Introduces the most relevant methods, properties and applications of carbon dots, graphene quantum dots, carbon quantum dots and fullerenes Reviews methods including green and biomass derived methods to prepare carbon nanomaterials to enhance properties (particularly optical and electronic) and improve performance for specific applications Discusses challenges and opportunities for commercial translation and use of carbon nanomaterials in energy, medicine, sensing, biomedical engineering and electronics applications

Zero-dimensional nanomaterials exhibit unique properties, including high chemiluminescence and photoluminescence, due to their excellent quantum and edge confinement effects. This book covers the latest advances in the field, with a focus on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which have attracted significant interest due to the tunable emission of CQDs and the brilliant optical and electrochemical properties of GQDs. As these materials gain in popularity and as new findings are reported every day, this reference text brings together the most recent data, making it the first of its kind to support researchers in this rapidly developing field. Fundamentals, properties and synthesis methods are covered in detail, particularly photophysical and electrical properties, targeting researchers' attention on various synthesis methods and enabling them to design more useful applications. Exploring potential applications in cancer diagnosis, bioimaging, drug delivery and tissue engineering, as well as the use of materials as sensors for detecting environmental pollutants, the book provides a comprehensive reference for researchers, postgraduates and industry practitioners researching zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials and their applications. KEY FEATURES: Presents the latest advances in the field of zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, with a focus on carbon quantum dots and graphene quantum dots Covers fundamentals, properties and synthesis methods Explores applications in detail Covers applications including sensors, cancer diagnosis, bioimaging, drug delivery and tissue engineering

Written by the founder of the field of carbon “quantum” dots (carbon dots) and related technology, this book outlines the principles of carbon dots and presents strong evidence for that small carbon nanoparticles and by extension carbon dots represent the nanoscale carbon allotrope at zero-dimension. Historical accounts of the inception and evolution of the carbon dots field are provided. Experimental approaches and techniques for the dot synthesis and some related major issues are discussed in detail. The photoexcited state properties, especially the bright and colorful photoluminescence emissions, and photoinduced redox characteristics of carbon dots are presented, and so are their advantages over semiconductor quantum dots as well as fullerenes. Carbon dots are also compared with “graphene quantum dots”, for which a unified mechanistic understanding is proposed. Finally, a broad range of applications of carbon dots and their derived hybrid nanostructures in biomedical, renewable energy, food and environmental safety, and other technologies are highlighted. The book concludes with a discussion on the excellent potential and opportunities for further research and development.

Symposium C, "Fundamentals of Low-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials," was held Nov. 29-Dec. 3 at the 2010 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. This resultant proceedings volume includes topics such as growth techniques for CNTs and graphene, structural characterization, novel properties, and interface & surface structures. Low-dimensional carbon nanostructures exhibit a rich structural diversity from zero-dimensional C60, one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and two-dimensional graphene and graphite oxides. These low-dimensional carbon nanostructures are at the forefront of materials science and provide a platform for understanding the growth mechanisms and properties of nanostructures in general. They exhibit novel properties with endless potential applications from high-speed electronics to high-performance composites. Although low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials have attracted great interest in the research community, the applications and commercialization of graphene and CNTs have, to date, not been as successful as anticipated. The need for significant improvements in material quality and structural uniformity exists.

Nanomaterials are defined as materials in which at least one length dimension is below 100 nanometers. In this size regime, these materials exhibit particular - and tunable - optical, electrical or mechanical properties that are not present at the macro-scale. This opens up the possibility for a plethora of applications at the interface of materials, chemistry, physics and biology, many of which have already entered the commercial realm. When nanomaterials are blended with other materials not necessarily in the nanometer regime, the resulting nanocomposites can exhibit dramatically different properties than the bulk material alone, leading to an enhanced performance in terms of, for example, increased thermal and mechanical stability. This book presents the synthesis, characterization and applications of nanomaterials and nanocomposites, covering zero-dimensional, elemental nanoparticles, one-dimensional materials such as nanorods and nanowhiskers, two-dimensional materials such as graphene and boron nitride as well as three-dimensional materials such as fullerenes, polyhedral oligomers and zeolites, complemented by bio-based nanomaterials, e.g., cellulose, chitin, starch and proteins. Introductory chapters on the state-of-the-art of nanomaterial research and the chemistry and physics in nanoscience and nanotechnology round off the book.

The deterioration of water quality and unavailability of drinkable water are pressing challenges worldwide. The removal of toxic organic and inorganic pollutants from water is vital for a clean environment, as a response to water scarcity. Adsorption-based water technologies are among the most widely used because of their high efficiency and low cost, without relying on a complex infrastructure. In recent years, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), such as graphene and derivatives, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, nanoporous carbon, fullerenes, graphitic carbon nitride, and nanodiamonds have been extensively exploited as adsorbents due to their extraordinary surface properties, ease of modification, large surface area, controlled structural varieties, high chemical stability, porosity, low density, ease of regeneration, and reusability. This book provides a thorough overview of the state of the art in carbon nanomaterials as they are used for adsorption applications in water purifications, as well as addressing their toxicological challenges. This volume primarily explores the fundamentals of adsorption, its mechanical aspects, synthesis and properties of CNMs, and adsorption performances of CNMs and their nanocomposites with organic and inorganic materials. Structural engineering and activation processes produce materials with enhanced adsorptive properties and separation efficiencies. Furthermore, the formation of CNMs with 2D and 3D macro-and microstructures and high porosities is a potential approach to improve adsorption performances and extend CNM use at the industrial level. The book also addresses important issues regarding these adsorbents that potentially affect future research and industrial applications of carbon-based nanoadsorbents in water security. Presents advances in multifunctional 3D superstructures of carbon nanomaterials and their composites for adsorption applications Outlines the fundamentals on synthesis and characterization techniques of carbon-based nanostructures and their composites Assesses the major toxicological challenges in using nanostructured materials as adsorbents for water purification