In modern industry, the friction and wear of mechanical equipment have caused a large amount of material and energy consumption. Therefore, the research on lubricating additives is very important for the preparation of high-efficiency lubricants. In recent years, CQD, as a new lubricating oil additive, has been pioneered in improving the tribological properties of lubricating oil. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a new type of zero-dimensional nanomaterials with unique physical and chemical properties and good tribological properties, which can improve the lubricity of base oil and prolong the service life of mechanical equipment. CQDs have shown excellent antifriction and anti-wear properties, have been widely concerned in nano lubricating oil additives, and gradually become a green antifriction and anti-wear material with development prospects in the field of lubrication.