Chapter 15 - Future aspects of carbon and graphene quantum dots for biomedical applications

Abstract

The semiconducting nanoparticles generally known as quantum dots possess exclusive shape- and size-dependent optoelectronic properties. The most promising carbon-based nanomaterials are carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which are at the forefront of biomedical research. Carbon and graphene quantum dots are nanohybrid materials that have received increased attention from researchers due to their low toxicity, chemical inertness, high solubility in various solvents, and biocompatibility. Due to the aforementioned features, the CQDs and GQDs are applied in biomedical fields such as biosensing, bioimaging, gene delivery, photothermal therapy, treatment of bacterial infections and inflammation, biomolecule detection, and cancer therapy. In spite of several advantages in the application of CQDs and GQDs, there are some factors which limit their widespread application. This chapter deals with the prospective features of carbon and graphene quantum dots. We have detailed various innovative applications of CQDs and GQDs in biomedical fields, their limitations, and how these limitations can be counteracted.