Surface Modification of Fluorescent Nanodiamonds for Biological Applications

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are a new class of carbon nanomaterials that offer great promise for biological applications such as cell labeling, imaging, and sensing due to their exceptional optical properties and biocompatibility. Implementation of these applications requires reliable and precise surface functionalization. Although diamonds are generally considered inert, they typically possess diverse surface groups that permit a range of different functionalization strategies. This review provides an overview of nanodiamond surface functionalization methods including homogeneous surface termination approaches (hydrogenation, halogenation, amination, oxidation, and reduction), in addition to covalent and non-covalent surface modification with different functional moieties. Furthermore, the subsequent coupling of biomolecules onto functionalized nanodiamonds is reviewed. Finally, biomedical applications of nanodiamonds are discussed in the context of functionalization.

Automated summary

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are a new class of carbon nanomaterials that show great potential for biological applications such as cell labeling, imaging, and sensing due to their exceptional optical properties and biocompatibility. Various surface functionalization methods for nanodiamonds are overviewed, including homogeneous surface termination approaches, as well as covalent and non-covalent surface modification with different functional moieties. The review also covers the coupling of biomolecules onto functionalized nanodiamonds and discusses biomedical applications of nanodiamonds in the context of functionalization.