Graphene quantum dots pioneering high performance thermal management for future technologies

Efficient thermal management remains a persistent challenge in modern technologies, as excessive heat accumulation limits performance, reliability, and longevity. Addressing this issue is essential for advancing applications in thermal interface materials (TIMs), nanofluids, energy storage systems, biomedical therapies, building materials, biochar, solar energy, and combustion technologies. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), with their quantum confinement effects, tunable surface chemistry, and abundant edge states, have emerged as versatile nanomaterials for regulating thermal transport on various platforms. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms controlling thermal conduction in GQDs, including phonon scattering, size- and edge-dependent effects, and interfacial interactions within the host matrices. This article highlights the utilization of GQDs to enhance thermal conductivity, improve thermal stability, and enable efficient heat dissipation in a variety of systems, from solid composites to fluidic and bio-integrated platforms. Despite these promising results, major challenges such as scalable synthesis, long-term dispersion stability, and controlled integration hinder widespread implementation. Strategies such as surface functionalization, hybrid composite engineering, and optimized fabrication routes are critically discussed to address these limitations. By bridging fundamental mechanisms with emerging applications, this review underscores the significance of GQDs as transformative materials for next-generation thermal management technologies.