Graphene quantum dots–From spectroscopic performance to 3D printing applications and interaction studies with normal and cancer cells

In this study, different types of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are investigated to understand their spectroscopic properties. Morphological and size analyses were performed. The mechanism of action of radical photopolymerization was evaluated. The obtained materials proved to be useful for developing efficient photoinitiating systems for 3D printing applications. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the GQDs was studied, and their effects on living cells were investigated. We demonstrated that GQDs can not only act as efficient photoinitiators but also as constituents of hydrogels that express very low toxicity and may interact with cells. The latter makes it possible to study them in the future as useful modern biosensors.