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Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) has only recently experienced a renaissance in a myriad of domains despite existing as a long-established material described in the chemical literature. Notwithstandi...

Graphical abstract, Highlights • CQDs can act as a multi-site inhibitor by blocking the viral entry, RNA strand synthesis, and replication step. • Triazole functionalized heteroatom co-doped carbon quantum dots (TFH-CQDs) can synergistically exert an intensified antiviral response. • TFH-CQDs may block the viral entry by perturbing various interactions with the host cells. • TFH-CQDs may block the viral enzymes such as helicase and 3CLpro, important for viral replication. • Understanding the receptor recognition mechanism of human coronaviruses with host cells is imperative to elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of TFH-CQDs., Preventing the trajectory of human coronaviruses including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic could rely on the sprint to design a rational roadmap using breakneck strategies to counter its prime challenges. Recently, carbon quantum dots (CQDs), zero-dimensional (0D) carbon-based nanomaterials, have emerged as a fresh antiviral agent owing to their unique physicochemical properties. Additionally, doping instils beneficial properties in CQDs, augmenting their antiviral potential. The antiviral properties of CQDs can be reinforced by heteroatom doping. Bestowed with multifaceted features, functionalized CQDs can interact with the spike protein of the human coronaviruses and perturb the virus-host cell recognition. Recently, triazole derivatives have been explored as potent inhibitors of human coronaviruses by blocking the viral enzymes such as 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) and helicase, important for viral replication. Moreover, they offer a better aromatic heterocyclic core for therapeutics owing to their higher thermodynamic stability. To curb the current outbreak, triazole functionalized heteroatom co-doped carbon quantum dots (TFH-CQDs) interacting with viral cells spanning the gamut of complexity can be utilized for deciphering the mystery of its inhibitory mechanism against human coronaviruses. In this quest to unlock the potential of antiviral carbon-based nanomaterials, CQDs and triazole conjugated CQDs template comprising a series of bioisosteres, CQDs-1 to CQDs-9, can extend the arsenal of functional antiviral materials at the forefront of the war against human coronaviruses.