Biological applications of carbon dots

Carbon dots (C-dots), since their first discovery in 2004 by Scrivens et al. during purification of single-walled carbon nanotubes, have gradually become a rising star in the fluorescent nanoparticles family, due to their strong fluorescence, resistance to photobleaching, low toxicity, along with their abundant and inexpensive nature. In the past decade, the procedures for preparing C-dots have become increasingly versatile and facile, and their applications are being extended to a growing number of fields. In this review, we focused on introducing the biological applications of C-dots, hoping to expedite their translation to the clinic.