Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) exhibit appealing photoluminescence (PL), and their spectral characteristics can be effectively modulated through dopant incorporation and tailored surface functionalization. However, existing heteroatom-doped GQD systems remain confined to visible emission, and the role of rare-earth coordination in restructuring the GQD emissive landscape is not yet systematically established. Here, we systematically examine neodymium-doped graphene quantum dots (Nd-GQDs) as the primary broadband emissive system, using pristine GQDs, nitrogen-doped (N-GQDs), and nitrogen/sulfur co-doped (NS-GQDs) as comparative controls, to elucidate how Nd incorporation uniquely modulates excitation dynamics, emissive-state activation, and spectral breadth. Excitation-dependent PL, contour maps, and peak-tracking analyses show that pristine, N-, and NS-GQDs each maintain a single emission band with clear excitation-independent regions followed by excitation-dependent dispersion, consistent with selective population of surface/edge traps. In contrast, Nd-GQDs distinctly exhibit two emission bands at all excitations, originating from simultaneous activation of graphitic ¿-states and Nd-induced mid-gap states. This dual-channel behavior produces alternating excitation-dependent and independent regimes that collectively generate intrinsic UV¿visible broadband emission. CIE chromaticity mapping confirms that Nd-GQDs uniquely achieve central white-light coordinates and extend toward the deep-red boundary of the visible gamut, while the PL emission spans a broad 350-750¿nm window reaching the NIR-I onset, whereas the other GQDs show narrower, continuous trajectories. These findings establish Nd-GQDs as intrinsic single-component white-light emitters with Vis¿NIR-I onset reach, capabilities not accessible in heteroatom-doped GQDs ¿ providing a viable carbon-based platform for solid-state lighting, optical tagging, and dual visible¿NIR photonic applications.
