White-light-emitting edge-functionalized graphene quantum dots.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have received considerable attention for their potential applications in the development of novel optoelectronic materials. In the generation of optoelectronic devices, the development of GQDs that are regulated in terms of their size and dimensions and are unoxidized at the sp(2) surfaces is desired. GQDs functionalized with bulky Fréchet's dendritic wedges at the GQD periphery were synthesized. The single-layered, size-regulated structures of the dendronized GQDs were revealed by atomic force microscopy. The edge-functionalization of the GQDs led to white-light emission, which is an uncommon feature.