Graphene oxide (GO), a pivotal derivative of graphene, has revolutionized nanotechnology with its tunable physicochemical properties and interdisciplinary applications in energy storage, environmental remediation, and biomedicine. Despite its exponential research growth, existing reviews remain fragmented, lacking holistic insights into evolving synthesis–application linkages, global collaboration patterns, and emerging convergence trends. This study bridges these gaps through a scientometric analysis of 14,124 peer-reviewed articles (2022–2025) from the Web of Science Core Collection, utilizing CiteSpace for co-occurrence network mapping, burst detection, and cluster analysis. Key findings reveal (1) a thematic shift from traditional synthesis optimization (e.g., Hummers’ method) toward driven material design and sustainable applications like GO membranes for water purification; (2) China’s dominance in publication output (38.5%) contrasts with the U.S. and Europe’s leadership in global collaborations; (3) interdisciplinary journals such as Chemical Engineering Journal (centrality: 0.25) and emerging clusters like “circular economy” signal transformative priorities; and (4) critical gaps in scalability, ecological safety, and cost-effective production hinder industrial translation. This work provides a roadmap for aligning research with sustainability goals, fostering global partnerships, and accelerating innovations in scalable nanotechnology.

Composite protective coatings are critical for material durability but face challenges like fragmented knowledge and scalability issues. Existing research lacks the systematic integration of nanomaterial properties with macroscale performance and standardized evaluation protocols for hybrid systems. This study uses CiteSpace to analyze 18,363 publications (2015–2025) from Web of Science, visualizing collaborative networks, keyword clusters, and citation bursts. China leads global research output (8508 publications), with the USA and India following, while materials science, chemistry, and physics dominate disciplines. Key themes include nanocomposite coatings (e.g., graphene oxide, MXene), corrosion resistance mechanisms, and sustainable technologies, with citation bursts highlighting nanocomposites and surface functionalization. The study reveals interdisciplinary synergies in 2D nanomaterial-polymer systems, thereby improving barrier properties and enabling stimuli-responsive inhibitor release, yet it identifies gaps in lifecycle sustainability and industrial scalability. By constructing a holistic knowledge framework, this work bridges theory and application, quantifying interdisciplinary linkages and pinpointing frontiers like smart, multifunctional coatings. This study integrates data-driven insights to facilitate cross-sector collaboration. It delivers a strategic framework to tackle global challenges in material durability, sustainability, and practical application.

Carbon dots (CDs) have recently emerged as a novel class of eco-friendly and multifunctional corrosion inhibitors owing to their nanoscale dimensions, tunable surface functionalities, and sustainable synthesis pathways. This review summarizes the latest progress in CD-based inhibitors, focusing on synthesis methods, applications, and inhibition mechanisms. Various strategies—including hydrothermal/solvothermal treatment, microwave irradiation, pyrolysis, electrochemical synthesis, and chemical oxidation—have been employed to obtain CDs with tailored size, heteroatom doping, and surface groups, thereby enhancing their inhibition efficiency. CDs have demonstrated remarkable applicability across diverse corrosive environments, including acidic, neutral chloride, CO₂-saturated, microbiologically influenced, and alkaline systems, often achieving inhibition efficiencies exceeding 90%. Mechanistically, their performance arises from strong adsorption and compact film formation, heteroatom-induced electronic modulation, suppression of anodic and cathodic reactions, and synergistic effects of particle size and structural configuration. Compared with conventional inhibitors, CDs offer higher efficiency, environmental compatibility, and multifunctionality. Despite significant progress, challenges remain regarding precise structural control, scalability of synthesis, and deeper mechanistic understanding. The effectiveness of CDs inhibitors is highly dependent on factors such as pH, temperature, inhibitor concentration, and exposure time, which should be tailored for specific applications to maximize performance. Future research should focus on integrating sustainable synthesis with rational heteroatom engineering and advanced characterization to achieve long-term, cost-effective, and environmentally benign corrosion protection solutions. Compared to earlier reviews, this review discusses the emerging trends in the field of CDs as corrosion inhibitors.