Recent Progress and Perspective of an Evolving Carbon Family From 0D to 3D: Synthesis, Biomedical Applications, and Potential Challenges

Abstract

A variety of imaging techniques are available for detecting biological processes with sufficient penetration depth and temporal resolution. However, inflammation, cardiovascular, and cancer-related disorders might be difficult to diagnose with typical bioimaging methods because of the lack of resolution in the imaging of deep tissues. Therefore, nanomaterials are the most promising candidate to overcome this hurdle. This review is on the utilization of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs), ranging from zero-dimension (0D) to three-dimension (3D), in the development of fluorescence (FL) imaging, photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and biosensing for the early detection of cancer. Nanoengineered CNMs, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and functional carbon quantum dots (QDs), are being further studied for multimodal biometrics and targeted therapy. CNMs have many advantages over conventional dyes in FL sensing and imaging, including clear emission spectra, long photostability, low cost, and high FL intensity. Nanoprobe production, mechanical illustrations, and diagnostic therapeutic applications are the key areas of focus. The bioimaging technique has facilitated a greater understanding of the biochemical events underlying multiple disease etiologies, consequently facilitating disease diagnosis, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, and drug development. This review may lead to the development of interdisciplinary research in bioimaging and sensing as well as possible future concerns for researchers and medical physicians.

Internalization of Pegylated Er:Y2O3 Nanoparticles inside HCT-116 Cancer Cells: Implications for Imaging and Drug Delivery

“…While organic dyes often show poor photostability, fluorescent nanomaterials offer the advantages of a high quantum yield, a large Stokes shift, but above all high photostability and chemical stability. − For this reason, different types of fluorescent nanomaterials, including semiconductor quantum dots, noble metal nanoparticles, , and carbon nanomaterials, have been explored. In recent decades, research has begun to focus on the use of rare earth nanoparticles, whose interesting optical properties, such as narrow emission bandwidths and high resistance to photobleaching, high chemical stability, and low cytotoxicity, make them excellent candidates for biological applications.…”