Plant-Based Carbon Dots and Their Bio-Medical Applications

Carbon dots, or CDs, constitute a category of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles that have drawn substantial focus as possible replacements for traditional semiconductor quantum dots. Their exceptional chemical, physical, and biological properties render them highly advantageous materials across various biomedical domains. The unique electronic configuration of CDs endows them with multiple functional attributes, including robust and tunable photoluminescence suitable for fluorescence bioimaging and biosensing, substantial loading capacity for aromatic compounds facilitating small molecule drug delivery, as well as the ability to absorb incident light for applications in photothermal and photodynamic therapies. Numerous precursor forms, involving tiny organic molecules, macromolecules, and biomass derived from both animal and plant origins, have been engaged in the crafting of radiant CDs. The production of CDs sourced from plant origins has drawn notable academic interest thanks to their abundance, non-harmful qualities, and sustainable, environmentally friendly attributes. This chapter aims to scrutinize the processes of synthesis, functionalization, and the inherent properties of CDs originating from botanical sources, with a particular focus on the environmentally sustainable methodologies utilized and their applications within the biomedical field. Ultimately, we shall elucidate the challenges and potential trajectories in this dynamic and promising domain of research.