Abstract
The fluorescent carbon dot (C-dot) is a new class of carbon nanomaterials. It has a discrete or quasispherical structure, typically measures less than 10 nm and contains sp2/sp3 carbon, oxygen/nitrogen-based groups and surface-modified functional groups. Compared with semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), C-dots offer much lower toxicity and a better biocompatibility profile. Their other favorable features include easy and inexpensive synthesis and surface modification potential. C-dots can be morphologically classified into graphene-based quantum dots (GQDs) and amorphous carbon nanodots (ACNDs). Numerous methods have been developed to synthesize C-dots, and are mainly divided into ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ routes. In the top-down route, C-dots (mostly GQDs) is derived from the separation of large carbon precursors. The ‘bottom-up’ method primarily involves the dehydration, polymerization and carbonization of small molecules to form the GQDs and ACNDs through thermal/hydrothermal synthesis, microwave irradiation, and solution chemistry. Potential applications of C-dots have been explored in a number of cellular and in-vivo imaging approaches. However, some difficulties remain, including limited penetration depth and poorly controlled in-vivo pharmacokinetics, which depends on multiple factors such as the morphology, physiochemical properties, surface chemistry and formulation of C-dots. The exact mechanism of in-vivo biodistribution, cellular uptake and long-term toxicological effect of C-dots still need to be elucidated. An integrated multi-disciplinary approach involving chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, clinicians, and regulatory bodies at the early stage is essential to enable the clinical application of C-dots.
Keywords: Carbon Dots (C-dots), Photoluminescence (PL), Near-infrared (NIR), Quantum yield (QY), Optical Imaging, Iron oxide, Fe3O4.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Opportunities and Challenges of Fluorescent Carbon Dots in Translational Optical Imaging
Volume: 21 Issue: 37
Author(s): Junqing Wang, Gang Liu, Ken Cham-Fai Leung, Romaric Loffroy, Pu-Xuan Lu and Yì Xiáng J. Wáng
Affiliation:
Keywords: Carbon Dots (C-dots), Photoluminescence (PL), Near-infrared (NIR), Quantum yield (QY), Optical Imaging, Iron oxide, Fe3O4.
Abstract: The fluorescent carbon dot (C-dot) is a new class of carbon nanomaterials. It has a discrete or quasispherical structure, typically measures less than 10 nm and contains sp2/sp3 carbon, oxygen/nitrogen-based groups and surface-modified functional groups. Compared with semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), C-dots offer much lower toxicity and a better biocompatibility profile. Their other favorable features include easy and inexpensive synthesis and surface modification potential. C-dots can be morphologically classified into graphene-based quantum dots (GQDs) and amorphous carbon nanodots (ACNDs). Numerous methods have been developed to synthesize C-dots, and are mainly divided into ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ routes. In the top-down route, C-dots (mostly GQDs) is derived from the separation of large carbon precursors. The ‘bottom-up’ method primarily involves the dehydration, polymerization and carbonization of small molecules to form the GQDs and ACNDs through thermal/hydrothermal synthesis, microwave irradiation, and solution chemistry. Potential applications of C-dots have been explored in a number of cellular and in-vivo imaging approaches. However, some difficulties remain, including limited penetration depth and poorly controlled in-vivo pharmacokinetics, which depends on multiple factors such as the morphology, physiochemical properties, surface chemistry and formulation of C-dots. The exact mechanism of in-vivo biodistribution, cellular uptake and long-term toxicological effect of C-dots still need to be elucidated. An integrated multi-disciplinary approach involving chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, clinicians, and regulatory bodies at the early stage is essential to enable the clinical application of C-dots.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Wang Junqing, Liu Gang, Leung Cham-Fai Ken, Loffroy Romaric, Lu Pu-Xuan and J. Wáng Xiáng Yì, Opportunities and Challenges of Fluorescent Carbon Dots in Translational Optical Imaging, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2015; 21 (37) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612821666150917093232
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612821666150917093232 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
This thematic issue will emphasize the recent breakthroughs in the mechanisms of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis and devotes some understanding of both Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. It is expected to include studies about cellular and genetic aspects, which help to precipitate the disease, and the immune system-gut microbiome relations ...read more
Blood-based biomarkers in large-scale screening for neurodegenerative diseases
Disease biomarkers are necessary tools that can be employed in several clinical context of use (COU), ranging from the (early) diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction, to monitoring of disease state and/or drug efficacy. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a battery of well-validated biomarkers are available, such as cerebrospinal ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Diabetes mellitus: advances in diagnosis and treatment driving by precision medicine
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease with ever increasing prevalence worldwide which is now an epidemic disease affecting 500 million people worldwide. Insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells unable to maintain blood glucose homeostasis is the main feature of this disease. Multifactorial and complex nature of ...read more

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Morphologic and Molecular Backgrounds for Personalized Management of Genito-Urinary Cancers: An Overview
Current Drug Targets Management of the Menopausal Disturbances and Oxidative Stress
Current Pharmaceutical Design Modified Polysaccharides as Carriers for Biomolecules
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Perioperative Safety of Warfarin Therapy and Reversal
Current Drug Safety Hypoxia Responsive Drug Delivery Systems in Tumor Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Synthesis of Pyridine and Spiropyridine Derivatives Derived from 2-aminoprop- 1-ene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile Together with their c-Met Kinase and Antiproliferative Evaluations
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Targeted Drug Delivery to Cancer Stem Cells through Nanotechnological Approaches
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Antischistosomal Drugs and Agents
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Melanoma
Current Pharmaceutical Design Overcoming Resistance of Glioblastoma to Conventional Cytotoxic Therapies by the Addition of PARP Inhibitors
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Advances in Targeting Insulin-like Growth Factor Signaling Pathway in Cancer Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Design Gas1 is a Pleiotropic Regulator of Cellular Functions: from Embryonic Development to Molecular Actions in Cancer Gene Therapy
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Selenium and Selenoproteins: An Overview on Different Biological Systems
Current Protein & Peptide Science Herbal Phytochemicals as Immunomodulators
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Cytoprotective Agents to Avoid Chemotherapy Induced Sideeffects on Normal Cells: A Review
Current Cancer Drug Targets Targeting SKCa Channels in Cancer: Potential New Therapeutic Approaches
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Brief Survey of Machine Learning Application in Cancerlectin Identification
Current Gene Therapy Biologically Active Selenophenes and Benzo[b]selenophenes
Current Organic Synthesis Coenzyme Q10 Attenuates Cisplatin-induced Nephrotoxicity Through Counteracting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Clinical Cancer Drugs Revisiting Non-Cancer Drugs for Cancer Therapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry