Carbon dots in COVID-19 management: A global bibliometric analysis

Recent advances in carbon dots (CDs) research have underscored their significant role in biomedical applications, particularly due to their unique properties such as biocompatibility, photoluminescence, chemical inertness, photobleaching resistance, and low toxicity. Derived from diverse sources including plants, food, chemicals, and plastics, CDs have garnered increasing attention in nanomedicine. However, despite the rapid growth of publications in this area, a comprehensive analysis of global trends remains lacking. This study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically evaluate the progress and impact of CDs in the biomedical field. Results reveal China, the UK, and the USA as leading contributors based on publication output, with key institutions such as Shenzhen University and Beijing Normal University recognized for their pivotal role. The analysis highlights notable contributions by researchers, with Jong Whan Rhim emerging as the most-cited author (h-index of 108). Furthermore, Carbohydrate Polymers ranks as the most-cited journal, accumulating 8988 citations. Our findings emphasize the extensive international collaboration and funding support, with the National Natural Science Foundation of China being a primary funding source. The bibliometric analysis also illustrates how CDs have gained prominence in biomedical research during the COVID-19 pandemic, driving significant advancements in understanding and application. This study provides critical insights into the evolving global landscape of CDs research and its potential in addressing urgent biomedical challenges.