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Citrus peel as a carbon source in carbon quantum dots technology – investigating the potential biological activity and applications in biomedicine

The concept of waste valorization and the possibility of conversion of such waste into highly valuable products have compelled scientists to explore novel approaches for the transformation of environmental burden into innovative materials applicable to a wide spectrum of industries and in the biological fields. More recently, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have emerged as novel and fluorescent carbon nanomaterials possessing high chemical stability and photostability, high quantum yield, resistance to high ionic strength, outstanding fluorescence properties, water solubility and biocompatibility. Due to these characteristics, CQDs have received tremendous attention in the fields of nanotechnology and nanoscience expertise, especially in those related to biomedicine, biology, pharmacy, electronics, optics, photoelectrochemistry, and catalysis. Due to the low-cost, sustainable and green biomass resources, versatile possibilities in surface modifications of CQDs for properties enhancement, the use of biomass and waste in CQDs fabrication may come as a promising solution for the development of highly efficient and non-toxic fluorescent nanoparticles. Therefore, a different approach of waste managing, utilization and valorization will be presented, as well as the fabrication of high-value products with application in sensing of different metal ions and (bio)molecules, as well as for biomedical purposes, primarily in cellular imaging. Some principles in material modification and characterization will be introduced, emphasizing their importance in controlling the particle size, chemical composition and pharmacological and biological activity. Finally, some of the challenges and future outlooks in CQDs research will be briefly outlined.

carbon quantum dots ; biomass utilization ; sensors ; biomedical application

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