Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongsan, 38541, Republic of Korea; Department of Processes Design & Development, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), Nasr City 11727, Cairo, Egypt.
Microbiology at Interfaces, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, United Kingdom.
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2021 Apr;200:111578. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111578. Epub 2021 Jan 16.
Quantum dots (QDs) are promising nanoscale materials with sizes ranging from 1 to 10 nm, and have exponentially triggered scientific interest worldwide during the past decade. They exhibit size-tunable optical features, zero-dimensional structures, and quantum confinement effects. Moreover, they can be tailored to suit various applications. Phyto-synthesis of fluorescent metal chalcogenide QDs and carbon dots (CDs) is a green, feasible, low-cost, and environmentally safe approach to overcome the limitations of chemical and physical synthesis techniques. Different plant extracts provide several phytochemical constituents with numerous functional moieties for natural capping and stabilization of the synthesized metal chalcogenide QDs and CDs. Therefore, the green synthesis of metal chalcogenide QDs and CDs, their optical and structural properties, and applications such as diagnostics, biosensing, heavy metal detection, and photocatalytic degradation are comprehensively summarized in this review. Furthermore, the biovalorization of agricultural wastes, such as fruit and vegetable peels, is addressed to produce high-value metal chalcogenide QDs and CDs. In addition, the toxicity issues associated with these particles are described for the safe usage of QDs. Challenges that restrict the widespread application of QD particles are discussed along with future perspectives for their commercial, safe, and upscale production.
量子点（QDs）是一种具有 1 至 10nm 尺寸的有前途的纳米级材料，在过去十年中，它们在全球范围内引发了科学兴趣的指数级增长。它们具有可调谐的光学特性、零维结构和量子限制效应。此外，它们可以定制以适应各种应用。荧光金属硫属化物 QDs 和碳点（CDs）的植物合成是一种绿色、可行、低成本和环境安全的方法，可以克服化学和物理合成技术的局限性。不同的植物提取物提供了多种具有许多功能基团的植物化学成分，用于天然封闭和稳定合成的金属硫属化物 QDs 和 CDs。因此，本综述全面总结了金属硫属化物 QDs 和 CDs 的绿色合成、它们的光学和结构特性以及诊断、生物传感、重金属检测和光催化降解等应用。此外，还解决了农业废物（如水果和蔬菜皮）的生物增值问题，以生产高价值的金属硫属化物 QDs 和 CDs。此外，还描述了与这些颗粒相关的毒性问题，以确保 QDs 的安全使用。还讨论了限制 QD 颗粒广泛应用的挑战，并对其商业、安全和规模化生产的未来前景进行了展望。
