Updated review on carbon dots: their synthesis, characterization and analytical applications

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

2 Pharmaceutical Analysis Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt

3 Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University

Abstract

One of the most significant advancements in the rapidly expanding field of nanotechnology is colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, often known as quantum dots. Originally suggested as fluorescent biological markers, they are now discovering significant new applications in analytical chemistry owing to their promising optical, structural, and electrical properties. Carbon dots have attracted a lot of attention lately because of their sustainability, strong biocompatibility, water solubility, low cost of manufacture, and superior chemical stability. Two main methods are used to synthesize carbon dots; the first method is top-down technique, while the second method is bottom-up technique.  Enhancing the photoluminescence, electrical, and structural properties of carbon dots can be achieved via a dependable and versatile method called hetero-atom doping. Carbon dots are used in versatile fields such as; imaging, sensing, cancer treatment, drug quantitation, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and microorganism eradication. An overview of recent applications of quantum dots from 2011 to 2024 will be presented in this review, which has 50 references.

Highlights

  • Quantum dots nanotechnologically synthesized have unique features and wide applicability.
  • Discussion of versatile applications of quantum dots within analytical techniques and methods.
  • Different synthesis pathways and characterization techniques for C-dots were presented.
  • Various aspects of C-dots applications were thoroughly illustrated with examples.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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