Carbon Dots: Fluorescent Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Bioimaging, Sensors, and Photocatalysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63688/5rz6ct41

Keywords:

carbon dots, fluorescent nanoparticles, photoluminescence, bioimaging

Abstract

Carbon dots are fluorescent nanomaterials that have attracted significant scientific interest due to their optical properties, low toxicity, biocompatibility, photochemical stability, and easy surface functionalization. This systematic review aimed to analyze the main scientific contributions related to carbon dots as fluorescent nanoparticles, considering their synthesis methods, photoluminescence properties, and applications in areas such as biosensors, bioimaging, food safety, photocatalysis, optoelectronics, and biomedicine. The methodology was based on a review of scientific literature published between 2020 and 2026, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The results show that green synthesis, heteroatom doping, and surface functional group control are key aspects for improving the fluorescent efficiency of these nanomaterials. In addition, carbon dots were identified as promising tools for detecting contaminants, biomolecules, antibiotics, pesticides, and metal ions. However, challenges remain regarding synthesis reproducibility, purification, size control, and long-term safety evaluation.

References

Al Saidi, A. K., Ul-Islam, M., Ahmad, M. W., Al-Shannaq, R., & Shehzad, A. (2026). Carbon dots for fluorescence bioimaging: Advances in synthesis, optical properties, and multimodal applications. Results in Chemistry, 21, Article 103089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103089

Azam, N., Ali, M. N., & Khan, T. J. (2021). Carbon quantum dots for biomedical applications: Review and analysis. Frontiers in Materials, 8, Article 700403. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2021.700403

Chahal, S., Macairan, J. R., Yousefi, N., Tufenkji, N., & Naccache, R. (2021). Green synthesis of carbon dots and their applications. RSC Advances, 11, 25354–25363. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA04718C

Chen, B. B., Liu, M. L., & Huang, C. Z. (2020). Carbon dot-based composites for catalytic applications. Green Chemistry, 22(13), 4034–4054. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0GC01014F

Cui, L., Ren, X., Sun, M., Liu, H., & Xia, L. (2021). Carbon dots: Synthesis, properties and applications. Nanomaterials, 11(12), Article 3419. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11123419

Das, S., Mondal, S., & Ghosh, D. (2024). Carbon quantum dots in bioimaging and biomedicines. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, Article 1333752. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1333752

El-Shabasy, R. M., Elsadek, M. F., Ahmed, B. M., Farahat, M. F., Mosleh, K. N., & Taher, M. M. (2021). Recent developments in carbon quantum dots: Properties, fabrication techniques, and bio-applications. Processes, 9(2), Article 388. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9020388

He, C., Xu, P., Zhang, X., & Long, W. (2022). The synthetic strategies, photoluminescence mechanisms and promising applications of carbon dots: Current state and future perspective. Carbon, 186, 91–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2021.10.002

Ji, C., Zhou, Y., Leblanc, R. M., & Peng, Z. (2020). Recent developments of carbon dots in biosensing: A review. ACS Sensors, 5(9), 2724–2741. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.0c01556

Kang, C., Huang, Y., Yang, H., Yan, X. F., & Chen, Z. P. (2020). A review of carbon dots produced from biomass wastes. Nanomaterials, 10(11), Article 2316. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112316

Kumar, P., Dua, S., Kaur, R., Kumar, M., & Bhatt, G. (2022). A review on advancements in carbon quantum dots and their application in photovoltaics. RSC Advances, 12, 4714–4759. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA08452F

Liu, H., Zhong, X., Pan, Q., Zhang, Y., Deng, W., Zou, G., Hou, H., & Ji, X. (2024). A review of carbon dots in synthesis strategy. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 498, Article 215468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2023.215468

Liu, J., Li, R., & Yang, B. (2020). Carbon dots: A new type of carbon-based nanomaterial with wide applications. ACS Central Science, 6(12), 2179–2195. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscentsci.0c01306

Maan, J. S., Santhosh, M. K., Lee, S. J. X., Leow, N. Z. Y., Mohd Adli, A. S., Tai, C. J. Q., Lim, J. H., Muniandy, Y., Mai, C.-W., Tan, T. L., Chye, S. M., Koh, R. Y., & Lim, C. L. (2026). Carbon quantum dots as versatile nanosystems for biomedical innovation: Mechanisms, applications, and translational prospects. British Journal of Biomedical Science, 83, Article 15960. https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15960

Magesh, V., Sundramoorthy, A. K., & Ganapathy, D. (2022). Recent advances on synthesis and potential applications of carbon quantum dots. Frontiers in Materials, 9, Article 906838. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2022.906838

Mansuriya, B. D., & Altintas, Z. (2021). Carbon dots: Classification, properties, synthesis, characterization, and applications in health care—An updated review (2018–2021). Nanomaterials, 11(10), Article 2525. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102525

Miao, S., Liang, K., Zhu, J., Yang, B., Zhao, D., & Kong, B. (2020). Hetero-atom-doped carbon dots: Doping strategies, properties and applications. Nano Today, 33, Article 100879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2020.100879

Ozyurt, D., Al Kobaisi, M., Hocking, R. K., & Fox, B. (2023). Properties, synthesis, and applications of carbon dots: A review. Carbon Trends, 12, Article 100276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cartre.2023.100276

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, Article n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Qureshi, Z. A., Dabash, H., Ponnamma, D., & Abbas, M. K. G. (2024). Carbon dots as versatile nanomaterials in sensing and imaging: Efficiency and beyond. Heliyon, 10(11), Article e31634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31634

Salvi, A., Kharbanda, S., Thakur, P., Shandilya, M., & Thakur, A. (2024). Biomedical application of carbon quantum dots: A review. Carbon Trends, 17, Article 100407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cartre.2024.100407

Tian, J., An, M., Zhao, X., Wang, Y., & Hasan, M. (2023). Advances in fluorescent sensing carbon dots: An account of food analysis. ACS Omega, 8(10), 9031–9039. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c07986

Ullal, N., Muthamma, K., & Sunil, D. (2022). Carbon dots from eco-friendly precursors for optical sensing application: An up-to-date review. Chemical Papers, 76(10), 6097–6127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-022-02353-3

Wang, B., Cai, H., Waterhouse, G. I. N., Qu, X., Yang, B., & Lu, S. (2022). Carbon dots in bioimaging, biosensing and therapeutics: A comprehensive review. Small Science, 2(6), Article 2200012. https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202200012

Wang, L., Li, W., Yin, L., Liu, Y., Guo, H., Lai, J., Han, Y., Li, G., Li, M., Zhang, J., Vajtai, R., Ajayan, P. M., & Wu, M. (2020). Full-color fluorescent carbon quantum dots. Science Advances, 6(40), Article eabb6772. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abb6772

Yadav, P. K., Chandra, S., Kumar, V., Kumar, D., & Hasan, S. H. (2023). Carbon quantum dots: Synthesis, structure, properties, and catalytic applications for organic synthesis. Catalysts, 13(2), Article 422. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020422

Zheng, J., Lian, Z., Liu, T., Ouyang, M., Jiang, S., Yuan,X., & Zhou, L. (2025). A review for carbon dots-based fluorescent sensing tools for antibiotic and pesticide residues: Progress, challenges and perspectives. Food Control, 172, Article 111201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2025.111201

Published

2026-07-05

How to Cite

Estrella Semblantes, M. J., Hoyos Caicedo, J. J., Ruiz Mora, F. E., Telenchana Pérez, E. V., & Pilapaña Muñoz, F. J. (2026). Carbon Dots: Fluorescent Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Bioimaging, Sensors, and Photocatalysis. Sage Sphere of Technology, Sciences, Discoveries And Society, 4(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.63688/5rz6ct41