Graphene Quantum Dots: A Pharmaceutical Review

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) possess exclusive physicochemical and optical properties which are suitable for devices like, optoelectronic devices, light-emitting diodes, and photovoltaic cells. Compared to the selenium and tellurium/metasulfide- based QDs, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are less toxic and have more biocompatibility, these properties make them ideal candidates for the application in various fields like, drug delivery agents, bio-imaging, therapeutics, and theranostics. Different types of methods for the synthesis of GQDs like top-down and bottom-up methods are systematically deliberated in this study. Different physicochemical, optical, and biological properties are included in this particular text. These properties include size- and chemical-composition-dependent fluorescence, therapeutics, cellular toxicity, disease diagnostics, and biocompatibility. At last, predictions and possible directions of GQDs in drug delivery and bioimaging systems are deliberated concerning challenges such as synthesis, biocompatibility, and cellular toxicity.