Carbon dots (CDs) correspond to carbon-based materials (CBM) with sizes usually below 10 nm. These nanomaterials exhibit attractive properties such us low toxicity, good stability, and high conductivity, which have promoted their thorough study over the past two decades. The current review describes four types of CDs: carbon quantum dots (CQDs), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), carbon nanodots (CNDs), and carbonized polymers dots (CPDs), together with the state of the art of the main routes for their preparation, either by "top-down" or "bottom-up" approaches. Moreover, among the various usages of CDs within biomedicine, we have focused on their application as a novel class of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, concretely, owing their photoactivation capability that triggers an enhanced antibacterial property. Our work presents the recent advances in this field addressing CDs, their composites and hybrids, applied as photosensitizers (PS), and photothermal agents (PA) within antibacterial strategies such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and synchronic PDT/PTT. Furthermore, we discuss the prospects for the possible future development of large-scale preparation of CDs, and the potential for these nanomaterials to be employed in applications to combat other pathogens harmful to human health. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease.

Carbon dots: Types, preparation, and their boosted antibacterial activity by photoactivation. Current status and future perspectives.

The emergence of carbon dots (CDs) as anticancer agents had sparked a transformation in cancer research and treatment strategies. These fluorescent CDs, initially introduced in the early 2000 s, possess exceptional biocompatibility, tunable fluorescence, and surface modification capabilities, positioning them as promising tools in biomedical applications.The review encapsulates the transformative trajectory of green CDs as future anticancer nanomedicine, poised to redefine the strategies employed in the ongoing fight against cancer.The versatility of CDs was rooted in their various synthesis approaches and sustainable strategies, enabling their adaptability for diverse therapeutic uses. In vitro studies had showcased CDs' selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells while sparing healthy counterparts, forming the basis for targeted therapeutic potential. This selectivity had been attributed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which opened avenues for targeted interventions. The role of CDs in combination therapies, synergizing with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted approaches was then investigated to heighten their anticancer efficacy. Notably, in vivo studies highlight CDs' remarkable biocompatibility and minimal side effects, endorsing their translational promise. Integration with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy amplified the versatility and effectiveness of CDs. The exploration of CDs' applications in photo-induced treatments further solidified their significance, positioning them as photosensitizers (PS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal agents (PA) in photothermal therapy (PTT). In PDT, CDs triggered the generation of ROS upon light exposure, facilitating cancer cell elimination, while in PTT, they induced localized hyperthermia within cancer cells, enhancing therapeutic outcomes. In vitro and in vivo investigations validated CDs' efficacy in PDT and PTT, affirming their potential for integration into combination therapies. Looking ahead, the future of CDs in anticancer treatment encompasses bioavailability, biocompatibility, synergistic treatments, tumor targeting, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics integration, personalized medicine, and clinical translation. This transformative odyssey of CDs as future anticancer agents is poised to redefine the paradigm of cancer treatment strategies. 

The future of plant based green carbon dots as cancer Nanomedicine: From current progress to future Perspectives and beyond.

Hydrothermal synthesis of carbon dots incorporated in magnetite iron oxide nanoparticles for potential targeted brain cancer therapy: In-Vitro Study

Nanohybrids based on maghemite iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and carbon dots (CDs), with different linkers between the two components, are synthesized, with the idea of combining several properties (magnetic and optical) in one nanomaterial in order to eradicate bacterial biofilm. The photothermal capacities of these materials are expressed by two parameters: the specific absorption rate (SAR) and the photothermal light-to-heat conversion constant (η). They show that the IONP/CD combination is more effective in photothermia (PT) than either of the components, but depends on the linkage (amide > ester > electrostatic). The antibacterial properties of the nanohybrids are first determined for the exponential and stationary growth phases of planktonic S. aureus and B. subtilis with and without PT. In the absence of PT, no nanohybrid has any significant bactericidal effect, but with PT the nanohybrids have different activities, with the IONP-amide-CD pattern the most effective. Combining magnetic actuation and PT on B. subtilis biofilms shows a synergistic effect and reveals the advantages of using such nanohybrid materials for killing bacteria and eradicating biofilm. 

Dual therapy for the eradication of bacterial biofilms: Iron oxide nanoparticles and carbon dots as magnetic actuator and photothermal agents

It is well-established that the structural, morphological and performance characteristics of nanoscale materials critically depend upon the dispersion state of the nanofillers that is, in turn, largely determined by the preparation protocol. In this report, we review synthetic strategies that capitalise on the in situ generation of nanoparticles on and within polymeric materials, an approach that relies on the chemical transformation of suitable precursors to functional nanoparticles synchronous with the build-up of the nanohybrid systems. This approach is distinctively different compared to standard preparation methods that exploit the dispersion of preformed nanoparticles within the macromolecular host and presents advantages in terms of time and cost effectiveness, environmental friendliness and the uniformity of the resulting composites. Notably, the in situ-generated nanoparticles tend to nucleate and grow on the active sites of the macromolecular chains, showing strong adhesion on the polymeric host. So far, this strategy has been explored in fabrics and membranes comprising metallic nanoparticles (silver, gold, platinum, copper, etc.) in relation to their antimicrobial and antifouling applications, while proof-of-concept demonstrations for carbon- and silica-based nanoparticles as well as titanium oxide-, layered double hydroxide-, hectorite-, lignin- and hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposites have been reported. The nanocomposites thus prepared are ideal candidates for a broad spectrum of applications such as water purification, environmental remediation, antimicrobial treatment, mechanical reinforcement, optical devices, etc. 

In Situ Generation of Nanoparticles on and within Polymeric Materials

: With the need for non-antibiotic approaches to microbial pathogenesis being ever present, the development of alternatives centred around infection prevention is of deep importance. Antimicrobial surface coatings offer a promising approach, as they can possess multiple favourable qualities such as low toxicity, longevity, and the capacity for re-coating. Of the possible coating methods, layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition provides a particularly useful approach, allowing for the facile creation of multilayered coatings on pre-existing surfaces. For these LbL coatings, Naﬁon, a synthetic polymer with excellent mechanical properties, was used as a stable foundation for two model trilayer systems. Both sets of systems comprised Naﬁon layered alongside compounds with well-established antimicrobial activity: lysozyme, chitosan, and carbon dots (CDots). In addition to their antimicrobial properties, lysozyme and chitosan are both nontoxic and biocompatible, making them ideal for biomedical applications. Similarly, CDots have low toxicity but also possess ﬂuorescent properties, opening up the potential for the assessment of coating integrity, making these coatings suitable for high-wear surfaces. As such, the two trilayer systems were made of, respectively, Naﬁon, lysozyme, and chitosan; and Naﬁon, lysozyme, and CDots. When assessed against the represen-tative Gram-negative and Gram-positive species Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), respectively, both trilayer systems showed excellent antimicrobial activity, producing up to 3 log reductions in colony-forming units compared with a control. The activity of both sets of systems, alongside the similar activity between systems, showed both good synergy between and interchangeability of layer components, opening up the possibility for further tailoring in future.

/pdf/nafion-based-layer-by-layer-coatings-with-antimicrobial-rqq9x0xy.pdf

Nafion-Based Layer-by-Layer Coatings with Antimicrobial Activity

We present a novel type of layer-by-layer (LbL) waterborne coating based on Nafion and amine-terminated graphene oxide (GO–NH2) that inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by more than 99% and this performance is not compromised upon extensive thermal annealing at 200 °C. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensorgrams allow the real time monitoring of the build-up of the LbL assemblies, a process that relies on the strong electrostatic interactions between Nafion (pH = 2.7, ζ = −54.8 mV) and GO–NH2 (pH = 2, ζ = 26.7 mV). Atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle and zeta potential measurements were used to characterise the multilayer assemblies. We demonstrate here that Nafion/GO–NH2 advanced coatings can offer drug-free and long-lasting solutions to microbial colonization and can withstand dry heat sterilization, without any decline in their performance.

Antimicrobial coatings based on amine-terminated graphene oxide and Nafion with remarkable thermal resistance

We present a simple strategy to generate a family of carbon dots/iron oxide nanoparticles (C/Fe-NPs) that relies on the thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate in the presence of a highly fluorescent carbon-rich precursor (derived via thermal treatment of ethanolamine and citric acid at 180 °C), while polyethylene glycol serves as the passivation agent. By varying the molar ratio of the reactants, a series of C/Fe-NPs have been synthesized with tuneable elemental composition in terms of C, H, O, N and Fe. The quantum yield is enhanced from 6 to 9% as the carbon content increases from 27 to 36 wt%, while the room temperature saturation magnetization is improved from 4.1 to 17.7 emu/g as the iron content is enriched from 17 to 31 wt%. In addition, the C/Fe-NPs show excellent antimicrobial properties, minimal cytotoxicity and demonstrate promising bioimaging capabilities, thus showing great potential for the development of advanced diagnostic tools.

/pdf/carbon-dots-iron-oxide-nanoparticles-with-tuneable-2g96pj5b.pdf

Carbon Dots/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Tuneable Composition and Properties

Heat Sterilizable Coatings Based on Nafion and Graphene Quantum Dots With Advanced Antibacterial Performance

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Nafion-Based Layer-by-Layer Coatings with Antimicrobial Activity

Antimicrobial coatings based on amine-terminated graphene oxide and Nafion with remarkable thermal resistance

Carbon Dots/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Tuneable Composition and Properties

Heat Sterilizable Coatings Based on Nafion and Graphene Quantum Dots With Advanced Antibacterial Performance