Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) paired carbon dot-based complex nanoprobes: versatile platforms for sensing and imaging applications

As one of the most promising carbon-based photoluminescent materials, carbon dots (CDots) have recently attracted great attention for many potential applications owing to their excellent optical, electrical, and chemical properties. Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is a highly sensitive spectroscopic technique that has been widely utilized for all applications of fluorescence. In this review, we provide an updated roadmap of CDot-based FRET systems for nanoprobes. Several CDot-based FRET systems obtained by co-assembling different fluorescent molecules are surveyed. Furthermore, the synthesis strategies for CDot-based FRET systems and their applications in nanoprobes, bioimaging, and biomedicine are reviewed. We further provide an outlook toward the future development of CDot-based FRET systems. This article summarizes the latest progress in CDot-based FRET systems and looks forward to further developments in these exciting nanocomposites.