Surface functionality as a key parameter for the conductivity of microwave synthesized CQDs thin films

The carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials with extraordinary physicochemical properties have a broad range of applications. Some of the most intriguing is the CQD thin films for electronic devices and membrane nanofiltration. Here we present the simple and affordable microwave-assisted synthesis method for the production of the nitrogen-doped CQDs (N-CQD) and iron/nitrogen co-doped CQDs (FeN-CQD). The comprehensive study of the morphology and electrical properties of N-CQD and FeN-CQD was discussed after manufacturing obtained nanomaterials in the form of a thin film on different substrates using different deposition procedures. The morphological features of generated thin films altered dramatically when the substrate and nanomaterial properties, as well as the number of deposited layers of CQDs and the chosen deposition process, were taken into consideration.