Advances of Carbon Quantum Dots for Fluorescence Turn-On Detection of Reductive Small Biomolecules

Abstract

Small biomolecules in the human body involve in many important life activities, especially some small reductive biomolecules, which play important roles in maintaining human health and resisting diseases. Therefore, the rapid and accurate detection of small reductive biomolecules is of great significance. The fluorescence turn-on detection is a sensitive detection method with ease of operation. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a type of novel zero-dimensional fluorescent carbon nanomaterial, and exhibit great advantages including good biocompatibility, low toxicity, ease of fabrication, low cost, good photostability and high fluorescence quantum yield, therefore, CQDs have great potential in the fluorescence turn-on detection of small biomolecules. In this paper, we summarized the development of CQDs in fluorescence turn-on detection of glucose, ascorbic acid, dopamine, biothiols and uric acid in recent three years. Finally, we discussed the opportunities and challenges of CQDs in the fluorescence turn-on detection of these small biomolecules. Achievements of CQDs in fluorescence turn-on detection of glucose, ascorbic acid, dopamine, biothiols and uric acid in recent three years are presented.