Carbon Dots: Highlight on Their Synthesis, Properties and Applications in Tumor Imaging and Therapy

Abstract

Carbon dots (C-dots) are a kind of novel star nanomaterial and have gained extensive research attention in recent years. C-dots have some unique advantages, including adjustable fluorescence, excellent water solubility, ease of modification and negligible toxicity. Owing to their extraordinary properties, C-dots have particularly been found to be promising for cancer diagnosis and therapy. In this review, we carried out a highlight on the current progress made for C-dots in the field of tumor theranostics. The synthetic methods, structure and components of C-dots were systematically summarized. Meanwhile, their unique optical properties and mechanism of photoluminescence were discussed in depth. Furthermore, we have highlighted the applications of C-dots in bio-imaging, drug delivery and photo-triggered therapy for cancer theranostics.