Carbon Quantum Dots, Its Synthesis and Evaluation of Its Cytotoxicity

Currently preferred over semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) due to their solubility, low toxicity, environmental friendliness, and easy and inexpensive production that yields desired optical features, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a novel class of nano-carbons. Furthermore, their synthesis pathway can be tailored to tune their physicochemical properties. Because of their ability to generate fluorescence in the UV to near-infrared (NIR) range, CQDs are a good fit for use in biomedical applications. The excitation wavelength of these nano-carbon atoms can be changed to adjust their fluorescence. Currently, CQDs are being utilized in a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, gene delivery, biosensing, bioimaging, photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer, pharmaceutical formulations, and inflammation management. With an emphasis on their synthetic pathways, chemical and optical properties, biomedical applications, evaluation of cytotoxicity, and strategies to overcome cytotoxicity—as well as fresh perspectives in this fascinating and exciting field—this chapter emphasizes the current progress and advancement of CQDs.