Fluorescent carbon dots from mono- and polysaccharides: synthesis, properties and applications

Fluorescent carbon dots (FCDs) are an emerging class of nanomaterials made from carbon sources that have been hailed as potential non-toxic replacements to traditional semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Particularly in the areas of live imaging and drug delivery, due to their water solubility, low toxicity and photo-and chemical stability. Carbohydrates are readily available chiral bio-molecules in nature which offer an attractive and cheap starting material from which to synthesise FCDs with distinct features and interesting applications. This mini-review article will cover the progress in the development of FCDs prepared from carbohydrate sources with an emphasis on their synthesis, functionalization and technical applications, including discussions on current challenges.