Self-exothermic reaction prompted synthesis of single-layered graphene quantum dots at room temperature.

The easy fabrication of single-layered graphene quantum dots (s-GQDs) still faces challenge. Herein, we report an efficient route to fabricate s-GQDs within 5 min at room temperature by introducing a simple self-exothermic reaction. The as-prepared s-GQDs can specifically bind with aluminium ions to produce an aggregation-induced emission enhancement effect.