Abstract
Being a zero-dimensional (0D) nanomaterial of the carbon family, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) showed promising biomedical applications owing to their ultra-small size, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, excellent photo stability, tunable fluorescence, and water solubility, etc., thus capturing a considerable attention in biomedical field. This review summarizes the recent advances made in the research field of GQDs and place special emphasis on their bioimaging applications. We briefly introduce the synthesis strategies of GQDs, including top–down and bottom–up strategies. The bioimaging applications of GQDs are also discussed in detail, including optical [fluorescence (FL)], two-photon FL, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and dual-modal imaging. In the end, the challenges and future prospects to advance the clinical bioimaging applications of GQDs have also been addressed.
Highlights
The discovery of green fluorescence protein (GFP) and the development of organic fluorophores have fundamentally frameshifted the landscape of biomedical research, but their limited photostability made long-term bioimaging a formidable challenge (Zheng et al, 2015)
The electrolyte solution rapidly turned from colorless to black due to the rapid formation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). They suggested that the strong electrolyte induced the rapid disintegration of graphite or graphene sheets, which leads to a low product yield, whereas the prolonged electrochemical cleavage and the suppression of intercalation by weak electrolytes result in an effective and steady fabrication of GQDs (Figure 3D)
The resultant nitrogen-doped GQDs (N-GQDs) showed tunable band gap, possessed graphitic nature, and N-doping in the carbon lattice without any surface functional groups, which induced a negative effect on the electronic cloud (π electrons) of GQDs
Summary
The discovery of green fluorescence protein (GFP) and the development of organic fluorophores have fundamentally frameshifted the landscape of biomedical research, but their limited photostability made long-term bioimaging a formidable challenge (Zheng et al, 2015). Being an acid-free strategy, mild oxidant-based exfoliation does not require extensive purification, offering simple, and environment friendly fabrication of GQDs. Electrochemical Exfoliation Electrochemical cleavage of carbon-based precursors, such as graphene paper, coke, graphite, and CNTs, is a potential strategy, which has been broadly employed to prepare singlelayer GQDs with uniform size and high production yield.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
