Preparation of Fluorescent Carbon Dots Composites and Their Potential Applications in Biomedicine and Drug Delivery—A Review

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs), a new member of carbon nanostructures, rely on surface modification and functionalization for their good fluorescence phosphorescence and excellent physical and chemical properties, including small size (<10 nm), high chemical stability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, low cost, and easy synthesis. In the field of medical research on cancer (IARC), CDs, a new material with unique optical properties as a photosensitizer, are being applied to heating local apoptosis induction of cancer cells. In addition, imaging tools can also be combined with a drug to form the nanometer complex compound, the imaging guidance for multi-function dosage, so as to improve the efficiency of drug delivery, which also plays a big role in genetic diagnosis. This paper mainly includes three parts: The first part briefly introduces the synthesis and preparation of carbon dots, and summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of different preparation methods; The second part introduces the preparation methods of carbon dot composites. Finally, the application status of carbon dot composites in biomedicine, cancer theranostics, drug delivery, electrochemistry, and photocatalysis is summarized.

Zero-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials for Fluorescent Sensing and Imaging

“…351 Because most 0D CNMs are highly stable and subsequent steps negligibly affect 0D CNMs, this method is quite popular among researchers. 352,353 4.3.3. One-Step Synthesis of 0D CNM Matrix Composites.…”

“…577−579 range can promote the photogenerated charge transfer and function as electron acceptors to improve the photocatalytic efficiency. 352,580 Therefore, fullerenes and CDs are 0D CNMs mostly used for photocatalysis, in which long excitation and emission wavelengths, high fluorescence intensities and QYs, PET, and UCPL are crucial. 581 5.4.11.…”

Recent Advances in Biomaterials‐Based Therapies for Alleviation and Regeneration of Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Besides, the carbon dots with excellent luminescence and BBB penetration performance are also used in real‐time brain imaging, biosensing for proteins or ions, and drug delivery. [ 73 ] The aspirin‐based carbon dots (aspCD) with drug‐loading and fluorescent imaging were prepared through a traditional hydrothermal method. Such aspCD could load agents with different water‐solubility, and penetrate BBB easily with visualized distribution and anti‐inflammatory ability in the brain.…”

A Novel Vision of Reinforcing Nanofibrous Masks with Metal Nanoparticles: Antiviral Mechanisms Investigation

“…Carbon dots are a novel class of nanomaterials with a particle size of less than 10 nm that exhibit fluorescent properties [ 211 ]. Their characteristics of low production cost, surface hydrophilic functionality, high stability and biocompatibility along with low toxicity make them a very convenient candidate for biomedical applications such as controlled drug and gene delivery, bioimaging, biosensing, diagnosis of viral infections, and most recently, viral therapy [ 212 ].…”