The supply of safe drinking and clean water is becoming increasingly challenging proposition throughout the world. The deployment of environmentally sustainable nanomaterials with unique advantages namely high efficiency and selectivity, earth-abundance, recyclability, low-cost of production processes, and stability, has been a priority although several important challenges and constraints still remained unresolved. Carbon nanomaterials namely activated carbon, multi-walled- and single-walled carbon nanotubes, have been developed and applied as adsorbents for wastewater treatment and purification; graphene and graphene oxide-based nanomaterials as well as carbon and graphene quantum dots-derived nanomaterials have shown significant promise for water and wastewater treatment and purification, especially, for industrial- and pharmaceutical-laden wastes. This review encompasses advanced carbonaceous nanomaterials and methodologies that are deployed for the elimination of contaminants and ionic metals in aqueous media, and as novel nanosorbents for wastewater, drinking and ground water treatment. Additionally, recent trends and challenges pertaining to the sustainable carbon and graphene quantum dots-derived nanomaterials and their appliances for treating and purifying wastewater are highlighted.

Chemical Methods and Treatment Branch Water Infrastructure Division Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response U S Environmental Protection Agency 26 West Martin Luther King Drive Cincinnati OH 45268 USA; Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Palacký University in Olomouc Šlechtitelů 27 783 71 Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Qom Qom 37185 359 Iran

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan Iran

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Aghigh A, Alizadeh V, Wong HY, Islam MS, Amin N, Zaman M, 2015. Recent advances in utilization of graphene for filtration and desalination of water: a review. Desalination 365, 389–397.

Ai L, Jiang J, 2012. Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution with self-assembled cylindrical graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid. Chem. Eng. J 192, 156–163.

Ak G, Novoselov K, 2007. The rise of graphene. Nat. Mater 6,183–191. PubMed

Al-Wafi R, Ahmed MK, Mansour SF, 2020. Tuning the synthetic conditions of graphene oxide/magnetite/hydroxyapatite/cellulose acetate nanofibrous membranes for removing Cr(VI), Se(IV) and methylene blue from aqueous solutions. Journal of Water Process Engineering 38, 101543.

Ali I, Peng C, Naz I, Khan ZM, Sultan M, Islam T, Abbasi IA, 2017. Phytogenic magnetic nanoparticles for wastewater treatment: a review. RSC Adv. 7, 40158–40178.

AlSaadi MA, Al Mamun A, Alam MZ, Amosa MK, Atieh MA, 2016. Removal of cadmium from water by CNT-PAC composite: effect of functionalization. Nano 11,1650011.

Alwash A, Adil H, Hussain Z, Yousif E, 2018. Potential of carbon nanotubes in enhance of photocatalyst activity. Arch Nano Op Acc J 1, 65–70.

Anastopoulos I, Pashalidis I, Hosseini-Bandegharaei A, Giannakoudakis DA, Robalds A, Usman M, Escudero LB, Zhou Y, Colmenares JC, Núñez-Delgado A, 2019. Agricultural biomass/waste as adsorbents for toxic metal decontamination of aqueous solutions. J. Mol. Liq 295, 111684.

Anh NTN, Chang P-Y, Doong R-A, 2019. Sulfur-doped graphene quantum dot-based paper sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of 4-nitrophenol in contaminated water and wastewater. RSC Adv. 9, 26588–26597. PubMed PMC

Asghari S, Johari SA, Lee JH, Kim YS, Jeon YB, Choi HJ, Moon MC, Yu IJ, 2012. Toxicity of various silver nanoparticles compared to silver ions in Daphnia magna. J. Nanobiotechnol 10, 14. PubMed PMC

Bakand S, Hayes A, 2016. Toxicological considerations, toxicity assessment, and risk management of inhaled nanoparticles. Int. J. Mol. Sci 17, 929. PubMed PMC

Bian S, Zhou C, Li P, Liu J, Dong X, Xi F, 2017. Graphene quantum dots decorated titania nanosheets heterojunction: efficient charge separation and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance. ChemCatChem 9, 3349–3357.

Borm PJ, Robbins D, Haubold S, Kuhlbusch T, Fissan H, Donaldson K, Schins R, Stone V, Kreyling W, Lademann J, 2006. The potential risks of nanomaterials: a review carried out for ECETOC. Part. Fibre Toxicol 3, 11. PubMed PMC

Bourlinos AB, Karakassides MA, Kouloumpis A, Gournis D, Bakandritsos A, Papagiannouli I, Aloukos P, Couris S, Hola K, Zboril R, 2013. Synthesis, characterization and non-linear optical response of organophilic carbon dots. Carbon 61, 640–643.

Bourlinos AB, Stassinopoulos A, Anglos D, Zboril R, Georgakilas V, Giannelis EP, 2008. Photoluminescent carbogenic dots. Chem. Mater 20, 4539–4541.

Bourlinos AB, Zboril R, Petr J, Bakandritsos A, Krysmann M, Giannelis EP, 2011. Luminescent surface quaternized carbon dots. Chem. Mater 24, 6–8.

Bousselmi L, Geissen S-U, Schroeder H, 2004. Textile wastewater treatment and reuse by solar catalysis: results from a pilot plant in Tunisia. Water Sci. Technol 49, 331–337. PubMed

Cai A, Wang Q, Chang Y, Wang X, 2017. Graphitic carbon nitride decorated with S, N co-doped graphene quantum dots for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalysis. J. Alloys Compd 692, 183–189.

Cai Y, Wei Z, Song C, Tang C, Han W, Dong X, 2019. Optical nano-agents in the second near-infrared window for biomedical applications. Chem. Soc. Rev 48, 22–37. PubMed

Cai Z, Dwivedi AD, Lee W-N, Zhao X, Liu W, Sillanpää M, Zhao D, Huang C-H, Fu J, 2018. Application of nanotechnologies for removing pharmaceutically active compounds from water: development and future trends. Environ. Sci. J. Integr. Environ. Res.: Nano 5, 27–47.

Cao L, Meziani MJ, Sahu S, Sun Y-P, 2012. Photoluminescence properties of graphene versus other carbon nanomaterials. Acc. Chem. Res 46, 171–180. PubMed

Carballa M, Omil F, Lema JM, Llompart M a, Garcıa-Jares C, Rodrıguez I, Gomez M, Ternes T, 2004. Behavior of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and hormones in a sewage treatment plant. Water Res. 38, 2918–2926. PubMed

Carmalin Sophia A, Lima EC, Allaudeen N, Rajan S, 2016. Application of graphene based materials for adsorption of pharmaceutical traces from water and wastewater-a review. Desalination and Water Treatment 57, 27573–27586.

Carpenter AW, de Lannoy C-F, Wiesner MR, 2015. Cellulose nanomaterials in water treatment technologies. Environ. Sci. Technol 49, 5277–5287. PubMed PMC

Chen C, Wang X, 2006. Adsorption of Ni(II) from aqueous solution using oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res 45, 9144–9149.

Chen LC, Teng CY, Lin CY, Chang HY, Chen SJ, Teng H, 2016a. Architecting nitrogen functionalities on graphene oxide photocatalysts for boosting hydrogen production in water decomposition process. Advanced Energy Materials 6, 1600719.

Chen Y, Bai X, 2020. A review on quantum dots modified g-C3N4-based photocatalysts with improved photocatalytic activity. Catalysts 10, 142.

Chen Y, Lu Q, Yan X, Mo Q, Chen Y, Liu B, Teng L, Xiao W, Ge L, Wang Q, 2016b. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of the carbon quantum dot-modified BiOI microsphere. Nanoscale research letters 11, 60. PubMed PMC

Chorawalaa KK, Mehta M, 2015. Applications of nanotechnology in wastewater treatment. Int J Innov Emerg Res Eng 2, 21–26.

Chu K-W, Lee SL, Chang C-J, Liu L, 2019. Recent progress of carbon dot precursors and photocatalysis applications. Polymers 11, 689. PubMed PMC

Clemente Z, Castro V, Jonsson C, Fraceto L, 2012. Ecotoxicology of nano-TiO2-an evaluation of its toxicity to organisms of aquatic ecosystems. Int. J. Environ. Res 6, 33–50.

Cloete TE, De Kwaadsteniet M, Botes M, 2010. Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications. Horizon Scientific Press.

Cohen-Tanugi D, Grossman JC, 2012. Water desalination across nanoporous graphene. Nano Lett. 12, 3602–3608. PubMed

Colmenares JC, Varma RS, Lisowski P, 2016. Sustainable hybrid photocatalysts: titania immobilized on carbon materials derived from renewable and biodegradable resources. Green Chem. 18, 5736–5750. PubMed PMC

Cong Q, Yuan X, Qu J, 2013. A review on the removal of antibiotics by carbon nanotubes. Water Sci. Technol 68, 1679–1687. PubMed

Dai H, Shi Y, Wang Y, Sun Y, Hu J, Ni P, Li Z, 2014. A carbon dot based biosensor for melamine detection by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemicals 202, 201–208.

Das R, Ali ME, Hamid SBA, Ramakrishna S, Chowdhury ZZ, 2014a. Carbon nanotube membranes for water purification: a bright future in water desalination. Desalination 336, 97–109.

Das R, Hamid SBA, Ali ME, Ismail AF, Annuar M, Ramakrishna S, 2014b. Multifunctional carbon nanotubes in water treatment: the present, past and future. Desalination 354, 160–179.

Das R, Vecitis CD, Schulze A, Cao B, Ismail AF, Lu X, Chen J, Ramakrishna S, 2017. Recent advances in nanomaterials for water protection and monitoring. Chem. Soc. Rev 46, 6946–7020. PubMed

Das S, Chakraborty J, Chatterjee S, Kumar H, 2018. Prospects of biosynthesized nanomaterials for the remediation of organic and inorganic environmental contaminants. Environ. Sci. J. Integr. Environ. Res.: Nano 5, 2784–2808.

De Volder MF, Tawfick SH, Baughman RH, Hart AJ, 2013. Carbon nanotubes: present and future commercial applications. Science 339, 535–539. PubMed

Di Z-C, Ding J, Peng X-J, Li Y-H, Luan Z-K, Liang J, 2006. Chromium adsorption by aligned carbon nanotubes supported ceria nanoparticles. Chemosphere 62, 861–865. PubMed

Ding C, Zhu A, Tian Y, 2013. Functional surface engineering of C-dots for fluorescent biosensing and in vivo bioimaging. Accounts Chem. Res 47, 20–30. PubMed

Ding Y, Cheng H, Zhou C, Fan Y, Zhu J, Shao H, Qu L, 2012. Functional microspheres of graphene quantum dots. Nanotechnology 23, 255605. PubMed

Dong Y, Chen C, Lin J, Zhou N, Chi Y, Chen G, 2013. Electrochemiluminescence emission from carbon quantum dot-sulfite coreactant system. Carbon 56, 12–17.

Dwivedi AD, Dubey SP, Sillanpää M, Kwon Y-N, Lee C, Varma RS, 2015. Fate of engineered nanoparticles: implications in the environment. Coord. Chem. Rev 287, 64–78.

Ebrahimi M, Samadi M, Yousefzadeh S, Soltani M, Rahimi A, Chou T.-c., Chen L-C, Chen K-H, Moshfegh AZ, 2016. Improved solar-driven photocatalytic activity of hybrid graphene quantum dots/ZnO nanowires: a direct Z-scheme mechanism. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng 5, 367–375.

Elanchezhiyan SS, Prabhu SM, Kim Y, Park CM, 2020. Lanthanum-substituted bimetallic magnetic materials assembled carboxylate-rich graphene oxide nanohybrids as highly efficient adsorbent for perfluorooctanoic acid adsorption from aqueous solutions. Appl. Surf. Sci 509, 144716.

Fan Y, Cheng H, Zhou C, Xie X, Liu Y, Dai L, Zhang J, Qu L, 2012. Honeycomb architecture of carbon quantum dots: a new efficient substrate to support gold for stronger SERS. Nanoscale 4, 1776–1781. PubMed

Fernando KS, Sahu S, Liu Y, Lewis WK, Guliants EA, Jafariyan A, Wang P, Bunker CE, Sun Y-P, 2015. Carbon quantum dots and applications in photocatalytic energy conversion. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 7, 8363–8376. PubMed

Fugetsu B, Satoh S, Shiba T, Mizutani T, Lin Y-B, Terui N, Nodasaka Y, Sasa K, Shimizu K, Akasaka T, 2004. Caged multiwalled carbon nanotubes as the adsorbents for affinity-based elimination of ionic dyes. Environ. Sci. Technol 38, 6890–6896. PubMed

Gan Y, Qiao L, 2012. Optical properties and radiation-enhanced evaporation of nanofluid fuels containing carbon-based nanostructures. Energy Fuels 26, 4224–4230.

Gandhi MR, Vasudevan S, Shibayama A, Yamada M, 2016. Graphene and graphene-based composites: a rising star in water purification-a comprehensive overview. Chemistry 1, 4358–4385.

Gao H, Zhao S, Cheng X, Wang X, Zheng L, 2013. Removal of anionic azo dyes from aqueous solution using magnetic polymer multi-wall carbon nanotube nanocomposite as adsorbent. Chem. Eng. J 223, 84–90.

Garg B, Bisht T, 2016. Carbon nanodots as peroxidase nanozymes for biosensing. Molecules 21, 1653. PubMed PMC

Gehrke I, Geiser A, Somborn-Schulz A, 2015. Innovations in nanotechnology for water treatment. Nanotechnol. Sci. Appl 8, 1. PubMed PMC

Ghaedi M, Shokrollahi A, Hossainian H, Kokhdan SN, 2011. Comparison of activated carbon and multiwalled carbon nanotubes for efficient removal of eriochrome cyanine R (ECR): kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic study of the removal process. J. Chem. Eng. Data 56, 3227–3235.

Ghaedi M, Zeinali N, Ghaedi A, Teimuori M, Tashkhourian J, 2014. Artificial neural network-genetic algorithm based optimization for the adsorption of methylene blue and brilliant green from aqueous solution by graphite oxide nanoparticle. Spectrochim. Acta Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc 125, 264–277. PubMed

Goh K, Setiawan L, Wei L, Si R, Fane AG, Wang R, Chen Y, 2015. Graphene oxide as effective selective barriers on a hollow fiber membrane for water treatment process. J. Membr. Sci 474, 244–253.

Gong J-L, Wang B, Zeng G-M, Yang C-P, Niu C-G, Niu Q-Y, Zhou W-J, Liang Y, 2009. Removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solution using magnetic multi-wall carbon nanotube nanocomposite as adsorbent. J. Hazard Mater 164, 1517–1522. PubMed

Gupta VK, Kumar R, Nayak A, Saleh TA, Barakat M, 2013. Adsorptive removal of dyes from aqueous solution onto carbon nanotubes: a review. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci 193, 24–34. PubMed

Hashim DP, Narayanan NT, Romo-Herrera JM, Cullen DA, Hahm MG, Lezzi P, Suttle JR, Kelkhoff D, Munoz-Sandoval E, Ganguli S, 2012. Covalently bonded three-dimensional carbon nanotube solids via boron induced nano-junctions. Sci. Rep 2, 363. PubMed PMC

Hisatomi T, Kubota J, Domen K, 2014. Recent advances in semiconductors for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Chem. Soc. Rev 43, 7520–7535. PubMed

Hoffmann MR, Martin ST, Choi W, Bahnemann DW, 1995. Environmental applications of semiconductor photocatalysis. Chem. Rev 95, 69–96.

Hola K, Bourlinos AB, Kozak O, Berka K, Siskova KM, Havrdova M, Tucek J, Safarova K, Otyepka M, Giannelis EP, 2014. Photoluminescence effects of graphitic core size and surface functional groups in carbon dots: COO- induced red-shift emission. Carbon 70, 279–286.

Hu J, Shao D, Chen C, Sheng G, Ren X, Wang X, 2011. Removal of 1-naphthylamine from aqueous solution by multiwall carbon nanotubes/iron oxides/cyclodextrin composite. J. Hazard Mater 185, 463–471. PubMed

Hu L, Sun Y, Li S, Wang X, Hu K, Wang L, Liang X.-j., Wu Y, 2014. Multifunctional carbon dots with high quantum yield for imaging and gene delivery. Carbon 67, 508–513.

Huang Z-H, Zheng X, Lv W, Wang M, Yang Q-H, Kang F, 2011. Adsorption of lead(II) ions from aqueous solution on low-temperature exfoliated graphene nanosheets. Langmuir 27, 7558–7562. PubMed

Jackson P, Jacobsen NR, Baun A, Birkedal R, Kühnel D, Jensen KA, Vogel U, Wallin H, 2013. Bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity of carbon nanotubes. Chem. Cent. J 7, 154. PubMed PMC

Jeon S-Y, Yun J-M, Lee Y-S, Kim H-I, 2010. Removal of Cu(II) ions by alginate/carbon nanotube/maghemite composite magnetic beads. Carbon Letters (Carbon Lett.) 11, 117–121.

Ji L, Chen W, Duan L, Zhu D, 2009. Mechanisms for strong adsorption of tetracycline to carbon nanotubes: a comparative study using activated carbon and graphite as adsorbents. Environ. Sci. Technol 43, 2322–2327. PubMed

Jiang K, Sun S, Zhang L, Lu Y, Wu A, Cai C, Lin H, 2015. Red, green, and blue luminescence by carbon dots: full-color emission tuning and multicolor cellular imaging. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed 54, 5360–5363. PubMed

Jiang L, Fan Z, 2014. Design of advanced porous graphene materials: from graphene nanomesh to 3D architectures. Nanoscale 6,1922–1945. PubMed

Jones S, Pramanik A, Kanchanapally R, Nellore B, Begum S, Sweet C, Ray P, 2017. ACS sustainable chem. Eng. Times 5, 7175–7187.

Julkapli NM, Bagheri S, 2015. Graphene supported heterogeneous catalysts: an overview. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40, 948–979.

Kabbashi NA, Atieh MA, Al-Mamun A, Mirghami ME, Alam M, Yahya N, 2009. Kinetic adsorption of application of carbon nanotubes for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution. J. Environ. Sci 21, 539–544. PubMed

Kaur M, Kaur M, Sharma VK, 2018. Nitrogen-doped graphene and graphene quantum dots: a review onsynthesis and applications in energy, sensors and environment. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci 259, 44–64. PubMed

Kaur S, Sharma S, Kansal SK, 2016. Synthesis of ZnS/CQDs nanocomposite and its application as a photocatalyst for the degradation of an anionic dye, ARS. Superlattice. Microst 98, 86–95.

Ke J, Li X, Zhao Q, Liu B, Liu S, Wang S, 2017. Upconversion carbon quantum dots as visible light responsive component for efficient enhancement of photocatalytic performance. J. Colloid Interface Sci 496, 425–433. PubMed

Kemp KC, Seema H, Saleh M, Le NH, Mahesh K, Chandra V, Kim KS, 2013. Environmental applications using graphene composites: water remediation and gas adsorption. Nanoscale 5, 3149–3171. PubMed

Khan A, Colmenares JC, Gläser R, 2020a. Lignin-based composite materials for photocatalysis and photovoltaics Lignin Chemistry. Springer, pp. 1–31. PubMed PMC

Khan A, Goepel M, Colmenares JC, Gläser R, 2020b. Chitosan-based N-doped carbon materials for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic applications. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng 8, 4708–4727.

Khin MM, Nair AS, Babu VJ, Murugan R, Ramakrishna S, 2012. A review on nanomaterials for environmental remediation. Energy Environ. Sci 5, 8075–8109.

Kongkanand A, Kamat PV, 2007. Electron storage in single wall carbon nanotubes. Fermi level equilibration in semiconductor-SWCNT suspensions. ACS Nano 1, 13–21. PubMed

Konicki W, Pełech I, Mijowska E, Jasińska I, 2012. Adsorption of anionic dye Direct Red 23 onto magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes-Fe3C nanocomposite: kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics. Chem. Eng. J 210, 87–95.

Kumar R, Khan MA, Haq N, 2014. Application of carbon nanotubes in heavy metals remediation. Crit. Rev. Environ. Sci. Technol 44, 1000–1035.

Kuo C-Y, Lin H-Y, 2009. Adsorption of aqueous cadmium(II) onto modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes following microwave/chemical treatment. Desalination 249, 792–796.

Lee WJ, Lee JM, Kochuveedu ST, Han TH, Jeong HY, Park M, Yun JM, Kwon J, No K, Kim DH, 2011. Biomineralized N-doped CNT/TiO2 core/shell nanowires for visible light photocatalysis. ACS Nano 6, 935–943. PubMed

Li G, Wang F, Liu P, Chen Z, Lei P, Xu Z, Li Z, Ding Y, Zhang S, Yang M, 2018. Polymer dots grafted TiO2 nanohybrids as high performance visible light photocatalysts. Chemosphere 197, 526–534. PubMed

Li H, He X, Kang Z, Huang H, Liu Y, Liu J, Lian S, Tsang CHA, Yang X, Lee ST, 2010. Water-soluble fluorescent carbon quantum dots and photocatalyst design. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed 49, 4430–4434. PubMed

Li L, Wu G, Yang G, Peng J, Zhao J, Zhu J-J, 2013. Focusing on luminescent graphene quantum dots: current status and future perspectives. Nanoscale 5, 4015–4039. PubMed

Li LL, Ji J, Fei R, Wang CZ, Lu Q, Zhang JR, Jiang LP, Zhu JJ, 2012. A facile microwave avenue to electrochemiluminescent two-color graphene quantum dots. Adv. Funct. Mater 22, 2971–2979.

Li S, Yu X, Zhang G, Ma Y, Yao J, Keita B, Louis N, Zhao H, 2011. Green chemical decoration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with polyoxometalate-encapsulated gold nanoparticles: visible light photocatalytic activities. J. Mater. Chem 21, 2282–2287.

Lim SY, Shen W, Gao Z, 2015. Carbon quantum dots and their applications. Chem. Soc. Rev 44, 362–381. PubMed

Liu J, Xu H, Xu Y, Song Y, Lian J, Zhao Y, Wang L, Huang L, Ji H, Li H, 2017. Graphene quantum dots modified mesoporous graphite carbon nitride with significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity. Appl. Catal. B Environ 207, 429–437.

Liu L, Liu Y, Gao B, Ji R, Li C, Wang S, 2019. Removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) andperfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) from water bycarbonaceous nanomaterials: a review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 1–34. 10.1080/10643389.10642019.11700751. DOI

Liu S, Yan Z, Zhang Y, Wang R, Luo S-Z, Jing F, Chu W, 2018. Carbon nanotubes supported nickel as the highly efficient catalyst for hydrogen production through glycerol steam reforming. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng 6, 14403–14413.

Liu Y, Yu Y-X, Zhang W-D, 2013a. Carbon quantum dots-doped CdS microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic performance. J. Alloys Compd 569, 102–110.

Liu X, Wang M, Zhang S, Pan B, 2013b. Application potential of carbon nanotubes in water treatment: a review. J. Environ. Sci 25, 1263–1280. PubMed

Lu C, Liu C, 2006. Removal of nickel (II) from aqueous solution by carbon nanotubes. Journal of chemical technology & biotechnology: international research in process. Environmental & Clean Technology 81,1932–1940.

Lu F, Astruc D, 2020. Nanocatalysts and other nanomaterials for water remediation from organic pollutants. Coord. Chem. Rev 408, 213180.

Lu Q, Zhang Y, Liu S, 2015. Graphene quantum dots enhanced photocatalytic activity of zinc porphyrin toward the degradation of methylene blue under visible-light irradiation. J. Mater. Chem 3, 8552–8558.

Luo PG, Sahu S, Yang S-T, Sonkar SK, Wang J, Wang H, LeCroy GE, Cao L, Sun Y-P, 2013. Carbon “quantum” dots for optical bioimaging. J. Mater. Chem. B 1, 2116–2127. PubMed

Ma H, Hsiao BS, Chu B, 2011. Ultrafine cellulose nanofibers as efficient adsorbents for removal of PubMed

Ma J, Yu F, Zhou L, Jin L, Yang M, Luan J, Tang Y, Fan H, Yuan Z, Chen J, 2012. Enhanced adsorptive removal of methyl orange and methylene blue from aqueous solution by alkali-activated multiwalled carbon nanotubes. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 4, 5749–5760. PubMed

Mahmoud ME, Fekry NA, Abdelfattah AM, 2020. Removal of uranium(VI) from water by the action of microwave-rapid green synthesized carbon quantum dots from starch-water system and supported onto polymeric matrix. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 122770. PubMed

Markova Z, Bourlinos AB, Safarova K, Polakova K, Tucek J, Medrik I, Siskova K, Petr J, Krysmann M, Giannelis EP, 2012. Synthesis and properties of core-shell fluorescent hybrids with distinct morphologies based on carbon dots. J. Mater. Chem 22, 16219–16223.

Martins NC, Ângelo J, Girão AV, Trindade T, Andrade L, Mendes A, 2016. N-doped carbon quantum dots/TiO2 composite with improved photocatalytic activity. Appl. Catal. B Environ 193, 67–74.

Meng Z-D, Zhu L, Choi J-G, Park C-Y, Oh W-C, 2011. Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic behavior of WO3-fullerene/TiO2 catalysts under visible light. Nanoscale research letters 6, 459. PubMed PMC

Mishra AK, Arockiadoss T, Ramaprabhu S, 2010. Study of removal of azo dye by functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes. Chem. Eng. J 162, 1026–1034.

Mozia S, Tomaszewska M, Morawski AW, 2007. Photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) coupling photocatalysis and membrane distillation—effectiveness of removal of three azo dyes from water. Catal. Today 129, 3–8.

Mukherjee S, Philip L, Pradeep T, 2020. Sustainable Materials for Affordable Point-of-Use Water Purification In: Naddeo V, Balakrishnan M, Choo KH (Eds.), Frontiers in Water-Energy-Nexus—Nature-Based Solutions, Advanced Technologies and Best Practices for Environmental Sustainability. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development). Springer, Cham.

Muthulingam S, Bae KB, Khan R, Lee I-H, Uthirakumar P, 2016. Carbon quantum dots decorated N-doped ZnO: synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity on UV, visible and daylight sources with suppressed photocorrosion. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 4,1148–1155.

Naghdi S, Sajjadi M, Nasrollahzadeh M, Rhee KY, Sajadi SM, Jaleh B, 2018. Cuscuta reflexa leaf extract mediated green synthesis of the Cu nanoparticles on graphene oxide/manganese dioxide nanocomposite and its catalytic activity toward reduction of nitroarenes and organic dyes. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 86, 158–173.

Naghizadeh A, Yari AR, Tashauoei HR, Mahdavi M, Derakhshani E, Rahimi R, Bahmani P, Daraei H, Ghahremani E, 2012. Carbon nanotubes technology for removal of arsenic from water. Archives of Hygiene Sciences 1, 6–11.

Nasrollahzadeh M, Nezafat Z, Gorab MG, Sajjadi M, 2020a. Recent progresses in graphene-based (photo)catalysts for reduction of nitro compounds. Molecular Catalysis 484, 110758.

Nasrollahzadeh M, Baran T, Baran NY, Sajjadi M, Tahsili MR, Shokouhimehr M, 2020b. Pd nanocatalyst stabilized on amine-modified zeolite: antibacterial and catalytic activities for environmental pollution remediation in aqueous medium. Separ. Purif. Technol 239, 116542.

Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajadi MS, Atarod M, Sajjadi M, Isaabadi Z, 2019c. An Introduction to Green Nanotechnology. Academic Press.

Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Iravani S, Varma RS, 2020. Green-synthesized nanocatalysts and nanomaterials for water treatment: current challenges and future perspectives. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 123401. PubMed PMC

Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Komber H, Khonakdar HA, Sajadi SM, 2019b. In situ green synthesis of Cu-Ni bimetallic nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide as an effective and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of N-benzyl-N-aryl-5-amino-1H-tetrazoles. Appl. Organomet. Chem 33, e4938.

Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Maham M, Sajadi SM, Barzinjy AA, 2018. Biosynthesis of the palladium/sodium borosilicate nanocomposite using Euphorbia milii extract and evaluation of its catalytic activity in the reduction of chromium (VI), nitro compounds and organic dyes. Mater. Res. Bull 102, 24–35.

Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Sajadi SM, 2019. Functionalized-graphene and graphene oxide: fabrication and application in catalysis. Photoenergy and thin film materials, 661–727.

Neto AC, Guinea F, Peres NM, Novoselov KS, Geim AK, 2009. The electronic properties of graphene. Rev. Mod. Phys 81, 109.

Ouni L, Ramazani A, Fardood ST, 2019. An overview of carbon nanotubes role in heavy metals removal from wastewater. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng 1–22.

Padhye LP, Yao H, Kung’u FT, Huang C-H, 2014. Year-long evaluation on the occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine disrupting chemicals in an urban drinking water treatment plant. Water Res. 51, 266–276. PubMed

Pakzad K, Alinezhad H, Nasrollahzadeh M, 2019. Green synthesis of Ni@Fe3O4 and CuO nanoparticles using Euphorbia maculata extract as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants under UV-irradiation. Ceram. Int 45, 17173–17182.

Pan D, Jiao J, Li Z, Guo Y, Feng C, Liu Y, Wang L, Wu M, 2015. Efficient separation of electron-hole pairs in graphene quantum dots by TiO2 heterojunctions for dye degradation. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng 3, 2405–2413.

Perez-Page M, Yu E, Li J, Rahman M, Dryden DM, Vidu R, Stroeve P, 2016. Template-based syntheses for shape controlled nanostructures. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci 234, 51–79. PubMed

Perreault F, De Faria AF, Elimelech M, 2015. Environmental applications of graphene-based nanomaterials. Chem. Soc. Rev 44, 5861–5896. PubMed

Petersen EJ, Zhang L, Mattison NT, O’Carroll DM, Whelton AJ, Uddin N, Nguyen T, Huang Q, Henry TB, Holbrook RD, 2011. Potential release pathways, environmental fate, and ecological risks of carbon nanotubes. Environ. Sci. Technol 45, 9837–9856. PubMed

Pirsaheb M, Asadi A, Sillanpää M, Farhadian N, 2018. Application of carbon quantum dots to increase the activity of conventional photocatalysts: a systematic review. J. Mol. Liq 271, 857–871.

Putri LK, Ong W-J, Chang WS, Chai S-P, 2015. Heteroatom doped graphene in photocatalysis: a review. Appl. Surf. Sci 358, 2–14.

Pyrzynska K, Stafiej A, 2012. Sorption behavior of Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto carbon nanotubes. Solvent Extr. Ion Exch 30, 41–53.

Qian X, Yue D, Tian Z, Reng M, Zhu Y, Kan M, Zhang T, Zhao Y, 2016. Carbon quantum dots decorated Bi2WO6 nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic oxidation activity for VOCs. Appl. Catal. B Environ 193, 16–21.

Qiu B, Zhou Y, Ma Y, Yang X, Sheng W, Xing M, Zhang J, 2015. Facile synthesis of the Ti 3+ self-doped TiO 2-graphene nanosheet composites with enhanced photocatalysis. Sci. Rep 5, 859. PubMed PMC

Qu D, Zheng M, Du P, Zhou Y, Zhang L, Li D, Tan H, Zhao Z, Xie Z, Sun Z, 2013. Highly luminescent S, N co-doped graphene quantum dots with broad visible absorption bands for visible light photocatalysts. Nanoscale 5, 12272–12277. PubMed

Qu S, Huang F, Yu S, Chen G, Kong J, 2008. Magnetic removal of dyes from aqueous solution using multi-walled carbon nanotubes filled with Fe2O3 particles. J. Hazard Mater 160, 643–647. PubMed

Rajabi M, Mahanpoor K, Moradi O, 2017. Removal of dye molecules from aqueous solution by carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube functional groups: critical review. RSC Adv. 7, 47083–47090.

Rao GP, Lu C, Su F, 2007. Sorption of divalent metal ions from aqueous solution by carbon nanotubes: a review. Separ. Purif. Technol 58, 224–231.

Rizzo L, Meric S, Guida M, Kassinos D, Belgiorno V, 2009. Heterogenous photocatalytic degradation kinetics and detoxification of an urban wastewater treatment plant effluent contaminated with pharmaceuticals. Water Res. 43, 4070–4078. PubMed

Ruan G, Thakur D, Deng S, Hawkins S, Winter J, 2009. Fluorescent-magnetic nanoparticles for imaging and cell manipulation. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. - Part N J. Nanoeng. Nanosyst 223, 81–86.

Sabzevari M, Cree DE, Wilson LD, 2018. Graphene oxide-chitosan composite material for treatment of a model dye effluent. ACS Omega 3, 13045–13054. PubMed PMC

Safardoust-Hojaghan H, Salavati-Niasari M, 2017. Degradation of methylene blue as a pollutant with N-doped graphene quantum dot/titanium dioxide nanocomposite. J. Clean. Prod 148, 31–36.

Sajjadi M, Baran NY, Baran T, Nasrollahzadeh M, Tahsili MR, Shokouhimehr M, 2020. Palladium nanoparticles stabilized on a novel Schiff base modified Unye bentonite: highly stable, reusable and efficient nanocatalyst for treating wastewater contaminants and inactivating pathogenic microbes.Separ. Purif. Technol 237, 116383.

Saleh NB, Khalid A, Tian Y, Ayres C, Sabaraya IV, Pietari J, Hanigan D, Chowdhury I, Apul OG, 2019. Removal of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances from aqueous systems by nano-enabled water treatment strategies. Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol 5, 198–208.

Shatkin J, Wegner T, Neih W, 2013. Incorporating life-cycle thinking into risk assessment for nanoscale materials: case study of nanocellulose, 2013 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials.

Shen Y, Fang Q, Chen B, 2014. Environmental applications of three-dimensional graphene-based macrostructures: adsorption, transformation, and detection. Environ. Sci. Technol 49, 67–84. PubMed

Simeonidis K, Mourdikoudis S, Kaprara E, Mitrakas M, Polavarapu L, 2016. Inorganic engineered nanoparticles in drinking water treatment: a critical review. Environ. Sci. J. Integr. Environ. Res.: Water Research & Technology 2, 43–70.

Sitko R, Turek E, Zawisza B, Malicka E, Talik E, Heimann J, Gagor A, Feist B, Wrzalik R, 2013a. Adsorption of divalent metal ions from aqueous solutions using graphene oxide. Dalton Trans. 42, 5682–5689. PubMed

Sitko R, Zawisza B, Malicka E, 2013b. Graphene as a new sorbent in analytical chemistry. Trac. Trends Anal. Chem 51, 33–43.

Sk MA, Ananthanarayanan A, Huang L, Lim KH, Chen P, 2014. Revealing the tunable photoluminescence properties of graphene quantum dots. J. Mater. Chem C 2, 6954–6960.

Song N, Gao X, Ma Z, Wang X, Wei Y, Gao C, 2018. A review of graphene-based separation membrane: materials, characteristics, preparation and applications. Desalination 437, 59–72.

Su Y, Liu G, Zeng C, Lu Y, Luo H, Zhang R, 2020. Carbon quantum dots-decorated TiO2/g-C3N4 film electrode as a photoanode with improved photo-electrocatalytic performance for 1,4-dioxane degradation. Chemosphere, 12638. PubMed

Subramanian A, Pan Z, Rong G, Li H, Zhou L, Li W, Qiu Y, Xu Y, Hou Y, Zheng Z, 2017. Graphene quantum dot antennas for high efficiency Förster resonance energy transfer based dye-sensitized solar cells. J. Power Sources 343, 39–46.

Sui Z-Y, Cui Y, Zhu J-H, Han B-H, 2013. Preparation of three-dimensional graphene oxide-polyethylenimine porous materials as dye and gas adsorbents. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 5, 9172–9179. PubMed

Sun Y-P, Zhou B, Lin Y, Wang W, Fernando KS, Pathak P, Meziani MJ, Harruff BA, Wang X, Wang H, 2006. Quantum-sized carbon dots for bright and colorful photoluminescence. J. Am. Chem. Soc 128, 7756–7757. PubMed

Surwade SP, Smirnov SN, Vlassiouk IV, Unocic RR, Veith GM, Dai S, Mahurin SM, 2015. Water desalination using nanoporous single-layer graphene. Nat. Nanotechnol 10, 459–464. PubMed

Tabish TA, Memon FA, Gomez DE, Horsell DW, Zhang S, 2018. A facile synthesis of porous graphene for efficient water and wastewater treatment. Sci. Rep 8, 1817. PubMed PMC

Tajik S, Dourandish Z, Zhang K, Beitollahi H, Van Le Q, Jang HW, Shokouhimehr M, 2020. Carbon and graphene quantum dots: a review on syntheses, characterization, biological and sensing applications for neurotransmitter determination. RSC Adv. 10, 15406–15429. PubMed PMC

Tang J, Kong B, Wu H, Xu M, Wang Y, Wang Y, Zhao D, Zheng G, 2013. Carbon nanodots featuring efficient FRET for real-time monitoring of drug delivery and two-photon imaging. Adv. Mater 25, 6569–6574. PubMed

Tian T, Shi X, Cheng L, Luo Y, Dong Z, Gong H, Xu L, Zhong Z, Peng R, Liu Z, 2014. Graphene-based nanocomposite as an effective, multifunctional, and recyclable antibacterial agent. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 6, 8542–8548. PubMed

Tofighy MA, Mohammadi T, 2011. Adsorption of divalent heavy metal ions from water using carbon nanotube sheets. J. Hazard Mater 185, 140–147. PubMed

Upadhyayula VK, Deng S, Mitchell MC, Smith GB, 2009. Application of carbon nanotube technology for removal of contaminants in drinking water: a review. Sci. Total Environ 408, 1–13. PubMed

Varma RS, 2016. Greener and sustainable trends in synthesis of organics and nanomaterials. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng 4, 5866–5878. PubMed PMC

Wang J, Zhang P, Liang B, Liu Y, Xu T, Wang L, Cao B, Pan K, 2016a. Graphene oxide as an effective barrier on a porous nanofibrous membrane for water treatment. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 6211–6218. PubMed

Wang Q, Li J, Chen C, Ren X, Hu J, Wang X, 2011. Removal of cobalt from aqueous solution by magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotube/iron oxide composites. Chem. Eng. J 174, 126–133.

Wang X, Sun G, Li N, Chen P, 2016b. Quantum dots derived from two-dimensional materials and their applications for catalysis and energy. Chem. Soc. Rev 45, 2239–2262. PubMed

Wang Y, Pan C, Chu W, Vipin AK, Sun L, 2019. Environmental remediation applications of carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide: adsorption and catalysis. Nanomaterials 9, 439. PubMed PMC

Wani AA, Khan AM, Manea YK, Shahadat M, Shaikh ZA, Ali SW, 2020. Graphene-supported organic-inorganic layered double hydroxides and their environmental applications: a review. Journal of cleaner production, 122980.

Wei H, Deng S, Huang Q, Nie Y, Wang B, Huang J, Yu G, 2013. Regenerable granular carbon nanotubes/alumina hybrid adsorbents for diclofenac sodium and carbamazepine removal from aqueous solution. Water Res. 47, 4139–4147. PubMed

Westerhoff P, Alvarez P, Li Q, Gardea-Torresdey J, Zimmerman J, 2016. Overcoming implementation barriers for nanotechnology in drinking water treatment. Environ. Sci. J. Integr. Environ. Res.: Nano 3, 1241–1253.

Woan K, Pyrgiotakis G, Sigmund W, 2009. Photocatalytic carbon-nanotube-TiO2 composites. Adv. Mater 21, 2233–2239.

Wu T, Chen M, Zhang L, Xu X, Liu Y, Yan J, Wang W, Gao J, 2013. Three-dimensional graphene-based aerogels prepared by a self-assembly process and its excellent catalytic and absorbing performance. J. Mater. Chem 1, 7612–7621.

Wu X, Zhang Y, Han T, Wu H, Guo S, Zhang J, 2014. Composite of graphene quantum dots and Fe3O4 nanoparticles: peroxidase activity and application in phenolic compound removal. RSC Adv. 4, 3299–3305.

Xie X-L, Mai Y-W, Zhou X-P, 2005. Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polymer matrix: a review. Mater. Sci. Eng. R Rep 49, 89–112.

Xing Z, Ju Z, Yang J, Xu H, Qian Y, 2013. One-step solid state reaction to selectively fabricate cubic and tetragonal CuFe2O4 anode material for high power lithium ion batteries. Electrochim. Acta 102, 51–57.

Xu C, Wang J, Yang T, Chen X, Liu X, Ding X, 2015. Adsorption of uranium by amidoximated chitosan-grafted polyacrylonitrile, using response surface methodology. Carbohydr. Polym 121, 79–85. PubMed

Xu L, Wang J, 2017. The application of graphene-based materials for the removal of heavy metals and radionuclides from water and wastewater. Crit. Rev. Environ. Sci. Technol 47, 1042–1105.

Xu X, Ray R, Gu Y, Ploehn HJ, Gearheart L, Raker K, Scrivens WA, 2004. Electrophoretic analysis and purification of fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotube fragments. J. Am. Chem. Soc 126, 12736–12737. PubMed

Xu Y-J, Zhuang Y, Fu X, 2010. New insight for enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2 by doping carbon nanotubes: a case study on degradation of benzene and methyl orange. J. Phys. Chem. C 114, 2669–2676.

Yan F, Kong D, Fu Y, Ye Q, Wang Y, Chen L, 2016a. Construction of carbon nanodots/tungsten trioxide and their visible-light sensitive photocatalytic activity. J. Colloid Interface Sci 466, 268–274. PubMed

Yan M, Hua Y, Zhu F, Gu W, Jiang J, Shen H, Shi W, 2017. Fabrication of nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots-BiOI/MnNb2O6 pn junction photocatalysts with enhanced visible light efficiency in photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics. Appl. Catal. B Environ 202, 518–527.

Yan M, Zhu F, Gu W, Sun L, Shi W, Hua Y, 2016b. Construction of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots-BiVO4/gC3N4 Z-scheme photocatalyst and enhanced photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics under visible light. RSC Adv. 6, 61162–61174.

Yan P, Zhang X, Wang X, Zhang X, 2020. Controllable preparation of mono-disperse mesoporous silica from microspheres to microcapsules and catalytic loading of Au nanoparticles. Langmuir 36, 5271–5279. PubMed

Yan T, Liu J, Lei H, Shi L, An Z, Park HS, Zhang D, 2018. Capacitive deionization of saline water using sandwich-like nitrogen-doped graphene composites via a self-assembling strategy. Environ. Sci. J. Integr. Environ. Res.: Nano 5, 2722–2730.

Yan Y, Gong J, Chen J, Zeng Z, Huang W, Pu K, Liu J, Chen P, 2019. Recent advances on graphene quantum dots: from chemistry and physics to applications. Adv. Mater 31, 1808283. PubMed

Yang S, Hu J, Chen C, Shao D, Wang X, 2011. Mutual effects of Pb(II) and humic acid adsorption on multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyacrylamide composites from aqueous solutions. Environ. Sci. Technol 45, 3621–3627. PubMed

Yeh TF, Teng CY, Chen SJ, Teng H, 2014. Nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots as photocatalysts for overall water-splitting under visible light Illumination. Adv. Mater 26, 3297–3303. PubMed

Yu F, Wu Y, Ma J, Zhang C, 2013. Adsorption of lead on multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different outer diameters and oxygen contents: kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics. J. Environ. Sci 25, 195–203. PubMed

Yu H, Shi R, Zhao Y, Waterhouse GI, Wu LZ, Tung CH, Zhang T, 2016a. Smart utilization of carbon dots in semiconductor photocatalysis. Adv. Mater 28, 9454–9477. PubMed

Yu H, Zhang H, Huang H, Liu Y, Li H, Ming H, Kang Z, 2012. ZnO/carbon quantum dots nanocomposites: one-step fabrication and superior photocatalytic ability for toxic gas degradation under visible light at room temperature. New J. Chem 36, 1031–1035.

Yu S, Zhong Y-Q, Yu B-Q, Cai S-Y, Wu L-Z, Zhou Y, 2016b. Graphene quantum dots to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency of anatase TiO2 with exposed {001} facet. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys 18, 20338–20344. PubMed

Yu Z, Dang Q, Liu C, Cha D, Zhang H, Zhu W, Zhang Q, Fan B, 2017. Preparation and characterization of poly (maleic acid)-grafted cross-linked chitosan microspheres for Cd(II) adsorption. Carbohydr. Polym 172, 28–39. PubMed

Zemmouri H, Drouiche M, Sayeh A, Lounici H, Mameri N, 2013. Chitosan application for treatment of Beni-Amrane’s water dam. Energy Procedia 36, 558–564.

Zeng Z, Chen S, Tan TTY, Xiao F-X, 2018. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and its derivatives for multifarious photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis. Catal. Today 315, 171–183.

Zhang H, Gong Q, Ren S, Arshid MA, Chu W, Chen C, 2018. Implication of iron nitride species to enhance the catalytic activity and stability of carbon nanotubes supported Fe catalysts for carbon-free hydrogen production via low-temperature ammonia decomposition. Catalysis Science & Technology 8, 907–915.

Zhang H, Ming H, Lian S, Huang H, Li H, Zhang L, Liu Y, Kang Z, Lee S-T, 2011. Fe2O3/carbon quantum dots complex photocatalysts and their enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light. Dalton Trans. 40, 10822–10825. PubMed

Zhang LL, Xiong Z, Zhao X, 2010. Pillaring chemically exfoliated graphene oxide with carbon nanotubes for photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation. ACS Nano 4, 7030–7036. PubMed

Zhang M, Xiao B, Wang H, Han MK, Zhang Z, Viennois E, Xu C, Merlin D, 2016. Edible ginger-derived nano-lipids loaded with doxorubicin as a novel drug-delivery approach for colon cancer therapy. Mol. Ther 24, 1783–1796. PubMed PMC

Zhang R, Ding Z, 2018. Recent advances in graphene quantum dots as bioimaging probes. Journal of Analysis and Testing 2, 45–60.

Zhang W, Zhang D, Liang Y, 2019. Nanotechnology in remediation of water contaminated by poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances: a review. Environ. Pollut 247, 266–276. PubMed

Zhang Y, Wu C, Zhou X, Wu X, Yang Y, Wu H, Guo S, Zhang J, 2013. Graphene quantum dots/gold electrode and its application in living cell H2O2 detection. Nanoscale 5, 1816–1819. PubMed

Zhang Z, Sèbe G, Rentsch D, Zimmermann T, Tingaut P, 2014. Ultralightweight and flexible silylated nanocellulose sponges for the selective removal of oil from water. Chem. Mater 26, 2659–2668.

Zhao G, Li J, Ren X, Chen C, Wang X, 2011. Few-layered graphene oxide nanosheets as superior sorbents for heavy metal ion pollution management. Environ. Sci. Technol 45, 10454–10462. PubMed

Zhao J, Wang Z, White JC, Xing B, 2014. Graphene in the aquatic environment: adsorption, dispersion, toxicity and transformation. Environ. Sci. Technol 48, 9995–10009. PubMed

Zhao X-H, Jiao F-P, Yu J-G, Xi Y, Jiang X-Y, Chen X-Q, 2015. Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by tartaric acid modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Colloid. Surface. Physicochem. Eng. Aspect 476, 35–41.

Zhao Y, Zhao B, Liu J, Chen G, Gao R, Yao S, Li M, Zhang Q, Gu L, Xie J, 2016. Oxide-modified nickel photocatalysts for the production of hydrocarbons in visible light. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed 55, 4215–4219. PubMed

Zheng M, Liu S, Li J, Qu D, Zhao H, Guan X, Hu X, Xie Z, Jing X, Sun Z, 2014. Integrating oxaliplatin with highly luminescent carbon dots: an unprecedented theranostic agent for personalized medicine. Adv. Mater 26, 3554–3560. PubMed

Zhou X, Zhang Y, Wang C, Wu X, Yang Y, Zheng B, Wu H, Guo S, Zhang J, 2012. Photo-Fenton reaction of graphene oxide: a new strategy to prepare graphene quantum dots for DNA cleavage. ACS Nano 6, 6592–6599. PubMed

Zhu S, Song Y, Zhao X, Shao J, Zhang J, Yang B, 2015. The photoluminescence mechanism in carbon dots (graphene quantum dots, carbon nanodots, and polymer dots): current state and future perspective. Nano research 8, 355–381.

MXene-Based Composites as Nanozymes in Biomedicine: A Perspective

MXene-Chitosan Composites and Their Biomedical Potentials

Eco-friendly synthesis of carbon nanotubes and their cancer theranostic applications

Graphene and graphene oxide with anticancer applications: Challenges and future perspectives

Toxicity and remediation of pharmaceuticals and pesticides using metal oxides and carbon nanomaterials