Recent advances in quantum dots for biomedical applications

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) have been widely used for fluorescent nanoprobes as bioimaging agents. However, QD can have toxic side-effects as they include heavy metals. Many researchers suggest graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as an alternative material with low toxicity and good biocompatibility. GQDs have many attractive features due to their structure. These include outstanding mechanical properties, optical properties, and good physicochemical stability. These exceptional properties can be exploited for biomedical applications, especially in the fields of drug-delivery, bioimaging, and tissue-engineering. This article presents a comprehensive review of GQDs. The primary focus is on their unique properties as they relate to the biomedical field and recently reported applications.