ABSTRACT:
Carbon dots (CDs) are a type of carbon-based nanoparticles that can be categorized into subtypes based on their structure and morphology. These nanoparticles possess adjustable physical, chemical, and optical characteristics, which can be easily manipulated through simple one-pot synthesis methods. CDs are highly attractive due to their biocompatibility, non-toxic nature, resistance to photobleaching and chemical degradation, and cost-effectiveness, making them suitable for a wide array of applications. Their synthesis can be carried out using two main strategies: (i) top-down approaches and (ii) bottom-up approaches. Both strategies allow for the customization of chemical structures to achieve desired band gaps, doping with heteroatoms, and functional groups. Ongoing studies continue to shed light on how the structure of CDs influences their optical behavior. In the previous study, the interactions between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) with antidepressant drugs—namely amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT), chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ), and desipramine hydrochloride (DSP)—bioconjugated and acetylcholinestarase enzymes on carbon dots (CDs), were investigated using various spectroscopic techniques. The photoluminescence of CDs is influenced by several factors, including the synthesis route, precursor materials, surface characteristics, and the type of heteroatom doping. This review explores different synthesis techniques and examines the resulting optical, physical, chemical, and structural properties of CDs. Moreover, it discusses their potential applications in fields such as biomedicine, LEDs, anti-counterfeiting, and sensing, with particular emphasis on the challenges faced in sensing and possible solutions to address them.
Cite this article:
Reshma and Gupta (2025). Carbon Dots in Biomedical Applications: A Review of Their Interaction with Serum Albumins, Antidepressant Agents, and Enzymatic Systems. Journal of Ravishankar University (Part-B: Science), 38(1), pp. 172-188. DOI:DOI: https://doi.org/10.52228/JRUB.2025-38-1-12