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Fluorescent carbon nano-materials from coal-based precursors: unveiling structure–function relationship between coal and nano-materials

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Abstract

Fluorescent carbon nano-materials with quantum confinement and edge effects have recently piqued attention in a variety of applications, including biological imaging, drug delivery, optoelectronics and sensing. These nano-materials can be synthesized from a variety of carbon-based precursors using both top-down and bottom-up methods. Coal and its derivatives typically include a vast crystalline network and condensed aromatic ring cluster, which can be easily exfoliated by chemical, electrochemical, or physical processes to produce nano-materials. As a result, they are regarded as a low-cost, abundant and efficient carbon source for the fabrication of high-yield nano-materials. Nano-materials synthesized from coal-based precursors have outstanding fluorescence, photostability, biocompatibility and low toxicity, among other properties. Their properties in optical sensors, LED devices, bio-imaging, and photo and electro-catalyst applications have already been investigated. In this review, we have highlighted current developments in the synthesis, structural properties and fluorescence properties of nano-materials synthesized from coal-based precursors.

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Fig. 1
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Figure a, b and c–g adapted with the permission from Ref. [52], copyright ACS and Ref. [40], copyright Springer Nature

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Adapted from Ref. [59], copyright Elsevier

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Adapted from Ref. [40], copyright Springer Nature

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Adapted from Ref. [64], copyright Elsevier

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Adapted from Ref. [71], copyright ACS

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Adapted from Ref. [70], copyright Elsevier

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Adapted from Ref. [69], copyright Springer Nature

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Adapted from Ref. [78], copyright RSC

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Images A and B are reproduced from Ref. [73] and Ref. [74], copyright ACS, respectively

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Adapted from Ref. [72], copyright Elsevier

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Adapted from Ref. [60], copyright ACS

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Adapted from Ref. [59], copyright Elsevier

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Adapted from Ref. [94], copyright Elsevier

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Figures A and B are adapted from Ref. [96], copyright ACS and Ref. [97], copyright RSC, respectively

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Figure a, b and c is adapted from Ref. [69], copyright Springer Nature, Ref. [71], copyright ACS and Ref. [92], copyright RSC, respectively

Fig. 18

Adapted from Ref. [61], copyright ACS

Scheme 1.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Tata Steel India for providing the necessary facilities.

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  1. Environemnt Research Group, Research and Development Department, Tata Steel Limited, Jamshedpur, 831017, India

    Niloy Kundu, Dhrubajyoti Sadhukhan & Supriya Sarkar

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  1. Niloy Kundu
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  2. Dhrubajyoti Sadhukhan
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  3. Supriya Sarkar
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NK has analysed and written the manuscript. NK provided the concept behind the manuscript and reviewed, edited the manuscript. SS reviewed and edited the manuscript.

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Kundu, N., Sadhukhan, D. & Sarkar, S. Fluorescent carbon nano-materials from coal-based precursors: unveiling structure–function relationship between coal and nano-materials. Carbon Lett. 32, 671–702 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42823-021-00315-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42823-021-00315-5

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