application of carbon quantum dots in early diagnosis and treatment of diseases

Aim and background: early diagnosis is a clinical need which can prevent the progress and facilitates treatment of diseases. carbon quantum dots (cqds) have shown promising potential application in the early diagnosis, which is owing to the excellent fluorescent properties, including broad excitation spectra, narrow and tunable emission spectra, chemical inertness, and high photo-stability. functionalized cqds, which are synthesized from green precursors, have attracted the attention to develop early diagnosis and theragnostic devices.methods: synthesis methods of cqds can be categorized into top-down and bottom-up synthetic route. second route is superior due to one-step synthesis and functionalization process, less costly, smaller size, and higher availability. methods such as hydrothermal, microwave, and pyrolysis are categorized in second rout.results and discussion: a great advantage of the cqds is the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier which is known as a highly selective interface. this ability is related to the small size of the cqds and provides an opportunity for the diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.conclusion: the current review focus on studies relating the synthesis and the functionalized cqds, changes in the bio-functionality after synthesis as well as their application in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.