Recent research progress of fluorescence biosensors based on carbon dots in early diagnosis of diseases

Recently, numerous exceptional optical nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention due to their superiority in improving assay performance of fluorescent biosensors for early disease diagnosis. Among them, carbon dots (CDs) stand out due to their unique optical properties, non-toxicity, cheap synthesis costs, and good biocompatibility. As extremely advantageous fluorescent probes, the CDs-based fluorescent biosensors are expected to become great attractive candidates for early clinical disease diagnosis. This review has carefully summarized the research progress of CDs-based fluorescence biosensors for early disease diagnosis. Firstly, the common synthesis methods, luminescent mechanisms, and sensing mechanisms of CDs were briefly introduced and discussed. Subsequently, the various applications of CDs in fluorescence biosensing and biological imaging were emphasized, which were reasonably classified based on recognition modes, including direct identification, identification through medium, enzyme, antibody, aptamer, and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). Eventually, the future opportunities, challenges, and development trends of CDs-based fluorescent biosensors in early disease diagnosis were also carefully discussed.