eng Science and Education Publishing World Journal of Chemical Education 2375-1657 2025-07-22 13 3 48 53 10.12691/wjce-13-3-2 WJCE20251332 article Edwin Bogdan 1 Leo Weise 1 Thomas Waitz twaitz@gwdg.de 1 Georg-August-Universit?t G?ttingen, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry Education, G?ttingen, Germany CQDs have emerged in recent years as a promising topic within nanotechnology due to their presumed high biocompatibility, low toxicity, and ability to absorb near-UV light. These properties make them attractive candidates for solar energy applications. In this contribution, we present the synthesis of CQDs via a simple bottom-up process using sucrose as a readily available and non-toxic precursor. Based on this material, we introduce the first CQD-based solar cell specifically designed for educational purposes. Our experiments enable learners not only to engage in the synthesis of nanomaterials, but also to explore their application by measuring solar cell key performance parameters such as open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current. Furthermore, the use of renewable carbon sources and environmentally benign synthesis conditions emphasizes the potential of CQDs as sustainable materials for green energy technologies. https://pubs.sciepub.com/wjce/13/3/2/wjce-13-3-2.pdf carbon quantum dots solar cells