A review on plant derived carbon quantum dots for bio-imaging

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have emerged as a potent competent to classical metal-based semiconductor quantum dots owing to their fascinating characteristics, such as high biocompatible nature, high solubility in water, excellent chemical stability, low toxicity, surface passivation, remarkable conductivity, and tunable optical characteristics. Such exceptional properties of CQDs prevail in their application as bio-imaging probes. Despite expensive protocols and environmentally threatening processes, research is focused on utilizing CQDs via a green synthesis approach. The present review summarizes the development of plant derived CQDs and their synthesis methods, modification strategies, characterization techniques, properties, and the application of CQDs for advanced bio-imaging applications.