Green synthesis, biomedical and biotechnological applications of carbon and graphene quantum dots. A review

Environ Chem Lett. 2020;18(3):703-727. doi: 10.1007/s10311-020-00984-0. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

Abstract

Carbon and graphene quantum dots are prepared using top-down and bottom-up methods. Sustainable synthesis of quantum dots has several advantages such as the use of low-cost and non-toxic raw materials, simple operations, expeditious reactions, renewable resources and straightforward post-processing steps. These nanomaterials are promising for clinical and biomedical sciences, especially in bioimaging, diagnosis, bioanalytical assays and biosensors. Here we review green methods for the fabrication of quantum dots, and biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Keywords: Bioimaging; Biomedical applications; Biotechnological applications; Cancer; Carbon dots; Diagnosis; Graphene quantum dots; Quantum dots; Sustainable synthesis.

Publication types

  • Review