Zero-dimensional (0D) nano-carbons, including graphene quantum dots, nanodiamonds, and carbon dots, represent the new generation of carbon-based nanomaterials with exceptional properties arising from diverse quantum phenomena, such as the surface, size, and edge effects, which strongly depend on the carbon–carbon bond configuration (sp2, sp3, and a mixture of sp2 and sp3) and particle size. Their unique physicochemical properties, including the optical, electronic, magnetic, reactivity, and catalytic properties, are valuable for energy conversion and storage, sensing, catalysis, optoelectronic devices, modern nanotechnologies, biomedical, and many other applications. This review aims to provide insights into the distinctive effects of 0D nano-carbon microstructures on their physicochemical properties that are crucial for cutting-edge fundamental studies and a broad range of multifunctional applications. The key synthesis methods for different types of 0D nano-carbons and current advances of characterization and computational techniques to study the structures of 0D nano-carbons and their structure–property relationships are also discussed. The review concludes with the current status, challenges, and future opportunities in this rapidly developing research field.

中文翻译：

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零维纳米碳：合成、性能和应用

零维（0D）纳米碳，包括石墨烯量子点、纳米金刚石和碳点，代表了新一代碳基纳米材料，具有多种量子现象（例如表面、尺寸和边缘效应）所产生的优异性能，这在很大程度上取决于碳-碳键构型（sp2、sp3 以及 sp2 和 sp3 的混合物）和粒径。它们独特的物理化学特性，包括光学、电子、磁性、反应性和催化特性，对于能量转换和存储、传感、催化、光电器件、现代纳米技术、生物医学和许多其他应用具有重要价值。本综述旨在深入了解 0D 纳米碳微观结构对其物理化学性质的独特影响，这对于前沿基础研究和广泛的多功能应用至关重要。还讨论了不同类型的 0D 纳米碳的关键合成方法以及研究 0D 纳米碳结构及其结构-性能关系的表征和计算技术的最新进展。回顾总结了这个快速发展的研究领域的现状、挑战和未来机遇。