Recent progress in the g-C3N4 quantum dots: synthesis, properties and applications in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Graphitic-carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C(3)N(4)QDs), as a rising star in the carbon nitride family, show great potential in many fields involving bioimaging, fuel cells, and photo(electro)catalysis, due to their fascinating optical and electronic properties. Especially, the efficient light capture, tunable photoluminescence and extraordinary up-conversion photoluminescence properties of g-C(3)N(4)QDs may offer promising potential for full utilization of the solar spectrum, thus promoting their applications in photocatalytic reactions. Some reviews on g-C3N4 have been presented; while most of them have concentrated on g-C3N4 in 3-dimensional (3D) or 2D structures, few focused on g-C(3)N(4)QDs. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the recent advances in g-C(3)N(4)QDs regarding their synthesis, optical and electronic properties and photocatalytic applications for degrading organic pollutants. Moreover, crucial issues in g-C(3)N(4)QD future application in these flourishing research areas are discussed, with prospects towards the final realization of efficient and long-term stable g-C(3)N(4)QD-based photocatalysts.