RT Journal Article
T1 Biomedical advances and clinical challenges of graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots: A comprehensive review
A1 Pashootan, Parya
A1 González-Valdivieso, Juan
A1 Moosavi, Mohammad Amin
A1 Fernández Lucas, Jesús
A1 Cordani, Marco
A1 Zarepour, Atefeh
A1 Khosravi, Arezoo
A1 Fangano, Giorgia
A1 Petralia, Salvatore
A1 Iravani, Siavash
A1 Zarrabi, Ali
AB Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C₃N₄ QDs) have garnered significant attention due to their unique physicochemical properties, including high biocompatibility, tunable photoluminescence, excellent chemical stability, and ease of functionalization. These attributes have positioned g-C₃N₄ QDs as promising candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), bioimaging, and biosensing studies. Despite rapid progress, the field lacks comprehensive critical reviews specifically focused on the synthesis, characterization, and biomedical application domains of g-C₃N₄ QDs, as reviews often address bulk or two-dimensional forms. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in the synthesis, functionalization, and biomedical applications of g-C₃N₄ QDs, highlighting their role as multifunctional nanomaterials. Additionally, the safety profile and toxicological considerations of g-C₃N₄ QDs are critically examined to assess their suitability for clinical applications. This review concludes by discussing future directions, including strategies to enhance their optical properties, improve targeted delivery, and expand their applicability in emerging biomedical fields. By consolidating current knowledge, this article aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers working on the translational development of g-C₃N₄ QDs and integrating them into practical devices in nanomedicine.
PB Elsevier
SN 1387-7003
YR 2025
FD 2025-10-09
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/133881
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/133881
LA eng
NO Pashootan, P., Gonzalez-Valdivieso, J., Moosavi, M.A., Fernandez-Lucas, J., Cordani, M., Zarepour, A., Khosravi, A., Fangano, G., Petralia, S., Iravani, S., & Zarrabi, A. (2025). Biomedical advances and clinical challenges of graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots: A comprehensive review. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 182(3), 115637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2025.115637
NO Acknowledgements: This work was partially funded by PIAno di inCEntivi per la RIcerca di Ateneo 2024–2026, Linea di intervento 1, project MhyNano Multifunctional Hybrid nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnosis and personalized Targeted Therapy. Mohammad Amin Moosavi (MA.M) is financially supported by National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Grant no. 900.
NO National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Iran)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 18 mar 2026