Abstract
This review summarizes the interactions of C-dots with biomacromolecules and the applications of C-dots in target-specific bioimaging and nanomedicine.
[Display omitted]
•The interaction of carbon dots with biomacromolecules and their corresponding applications are discussed.•The recent advancements of carbon dots in target-specific bioimaging are highlighted.•The applications of carbon dots for drug delivery and theranostics development are detailed.•Current challenges and future opportunities for carbon dots study are presented.
Carbon dots, a recent member of the renowned carbon-based nanomaterials family, have attracted significant interest from various fields. The extraordinary properties, including excellent photoluminescence, high biocompatibility, and tunable surface functionalities as well as the abundant and inexpensive nature, have led to remarkable bioapplications in bioimaging, drug delivery, and theranostics development. In this article, studies on the interaction of C-dots with biomacromolecules are reviewed first, and recent developments of C-dots for target-specific bioimaging, drug delivery as well as theranostics development are highlighted and discussed.
