Emergence of Carbon Nanodots as a Probe for Super-Resolution Microscopy

Fluorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) have emerged as a new class of nanomaterials in the carbon family. Due to their superior optical properties and low toxicity, CNDs have gained tremendous applications in bioimaging and in various other fields. Unfortunately, its application in super-resolution light microscopy (SRM) still has not been discussed thoroughly. Herein, we review the sequential progress of CNDs as an efficient nanoprobe for various SRM imaging modalities. At first, we will review the single-particle-level emission properties and their mechanism and then will provide comprehensive information on photon counts, on-off switching, duty cycle, and survival fractions, which are the important criteria for any fluorescent probe to be SRM active. Finally, we will discuss the successful application of CNDs to get the super-resolved structure of various subcellular organelles. We hope that this review will be helpful to gain comprehensive knowledge about the future prospects of CNDs as a new fluorescent nanoprobe for SRM imaging.

Automated summary

Fluorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) have emerged as a new class of nanomaterials with superior optical properties and low toxicity, gaining applications in bioimaging and other fields. However, their application in super-resolution light microscopy (SRM) has not been thoroughly discussed. This review covers the progress of CNDs as an efficient nanoprobe for various SRM imaging modalities, providing comprehensive information on emission properties, photon counts, on-off switching, duty cycle, and successful applications in obtaining super-resolved structures of subcellular organelles.