Recent advances in synthesis and biological applications of graphene quantum dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are becoming imperative functional carbon-based nanomaterials for use in a wide range of biological applications due to the unique optical and optoelectronic properties and also for having physical and chemical stable carbon network structure. Low toxicity, edge functionalization, tunable size, and photoluminescence properties of GQDs have attracted worldwide interests in recent years from academic and industrial point of view. The strong photoluminescence, good water solubility, and high drug loading capacity make GQDs useful for biosensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery. In this review, we have focused on the recent development in the synthesis methodologies and biological applications of GQDs.