Fluorescent Carbon Dots and Nanodiamonds for Biological Imaging: Preparation, Application, Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity

Jia-Hui      Liu; Sheng-Tao      Yang; Xin-Xin      Chen; Haifang      Wang

doi:10.2174/138920012802850083

Abstract

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has brought us some new types of fluorescent probes, which are indispensable for bioimaging in life sciences. Because of their innate biocompatibility, good resistance against photobleaching, long fluorescence lifetime and wide fluorescence spectral region, fluorescent carbon quantum dots (C-Dots) and nanosized diamonds (nanodiamonds, NDs) are gradually evolving into promising reagents for bioimaging. In this review, we summarize the recent achievements in fluorescent C-Dots and NDs with emphases on their preparation, properties, imaging application, pharmacokinetics and toxicity. Perspectives on further investigations and opportunities to develop C-Dots and NDs into the safer and more sensitive imaging probes for both living cells and animal models are discussed.

Keywords: Carbon dots, fluorescent probe, nanodiamonds, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, Biological Imaging, Toxicity, quantum dots, fluorescent probes, biocompatibility, spectral region, NDs.