Carbon dots (CDs) are promising for enhanced oil recovery, medical and environmental applications, but the successful implementation of CDs in these fields needs a comprehensive understanding of their transport behavior within solvent gradients and their influence on interfacial tension and surface wettability. In this study, stable carbon dots (CDs), 4-10 nm in size with -7 mV zeta potential, have been synthesized through pyrolysis of citric acid and ethanolamine. The diffusiophoretic behavior of CDs was observed in both deionized water (DI) and seawater (SW), where CDs can move with or against solvent gradients. Additionally, CDs’ ability in altering surface wettability and interfacial tension (IFT) with notable jamming at high concentrations was recorded, highlighting the CDs’ capability in stabilizing emulsions, which further confirmed through laser confocal microscopy. This comprehensive exploration of CDs’ properties and behavior offer valuable insights into their applicability in fields requiring controlled transport and stability in fluid systems.