▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - Composition comprises a population of graphene quantum dots, the quantum dots comprises graphene and an encapsulating means for solubilizing the graphene to prevent aggregation so that the population of graphene quantum dots remains solvated in solution, the encapsulating means being covalently linked to the graphene. USE - The composition is useful for producing photovoltaic device and nanostructure assembly of graphene quantum dots; and for producing soluble graphene quantum dot (all claimed). ADVANTAGE - The invention provides carbon nanostructures that exhibit useful band-gaps. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are: (1) composition comprising a population of graphene quantum dots, where a quantum dot comprises graphene, a first solubilizing group, and a first binding group; or a composition of the formula Y-(R)n or (A)m-Y-(R)n; (2) a photovoltaic device comprising the composition; (3) a nanostructure assembly of graphene quantum dots comprising an inorganic substrate and a population of graphene quantum dots, where: (a) the graphene quantum dots have a sheet structure having a first face and a second face that is a monolayer in thickness, a length of from about 1 nanometer to about 4 nanometers and a width of from about 0.5 nanometers to about 5 nanometers; (b) the graphene quantum dots include a solubilizing group that is covalently bound to the edge of the sheet structure; and (c) the solubilizing group solubilizes and prevents aggregation of the graphene quantum dots extending from the edge in at least two directions to partially encapsulate the first face and the second face of the sheet structure; and (4) a method of producing a soluble graphene quantum dot comprising oxidizing a solubilized polyphenylene dendrimeric precursor. Y=a polycyclic aromatic group; Rn=a first to an nth solubilizing group; m and n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and (A)m=a first to an mth binding group.