Zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials in agriculture: from biosensors to photosynthesis enhancement

Abstract

Recently, carbon dots have attracted significant interest in agriculture due to their chemical properties and other attributes such as photoluminescence reaction and photoinduced electron transfer. These qualities allow potential applications related to bioimaging, biosensors, catalysis, and photovoltaic conversion. Indeed, carbon quantum dots and graphene quantum dots are widely used in monitoring pesticides, mycotoxins, metal ions, and environmental parameters (moisture and oxygen). Furthermore, these nanomaterials have positively affected crops by increasing photosynthesis and nutritional assimilation in plants, promoting their growth and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses.