Therapeutic Applications of Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs): A Review

Organic nanoparticles, especially carbon quantum dots (CQDs), have become a focal point of research due to their unique properties and extensive applications in various fields, especially in medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, structural properties, and therapeutic potential of CQDs. Synthesis methods for CQDs are categorized into top-down and bottom-up approaches, each with distinct advantages and limitations. The structural characteristics of CQDs, characterized by a core-shell configuration and functionalized surface groups, significantly influence their optical properties and biocompatibility. In therapeutic applications, CQDs show great promise in drug delivery, gene therapy, bioimaging, and cancer treatment. Their small size, low toxicity, and customizable surface chemistry facilitate targeted delivery systems that can cross biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier. In addition, CQDs are being used in innovative cancer therapies such as photodynamic and photothermal treatments. This review highlights the evolution of CQDs research from their serendipitous discovery to their current status as versatile nanomaterials with significant implications for the advancement of healthcare technologies. By elucidating the synthesis methods, structural properties, and diverse applications of CQDs, this review aims to highlight their potential as transformative agents in therapeutic contexts.