Carbon Dots as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Antimicrobial Applications: A Minireview

Carbon dots are small carbon nanoparticles with intrinsic photoluminescence. Because of the advantages such as good biocompatibility and water dispersity, many researchers have applied carbon dots as delivery platforms of antimicrobial agents. Compared with the free small-molecule antimicrobial agents alone, the carbon dot-based systems may exhibit enhanced antimicrobial activity, increased stability, improved cellular uptake, and reduced side effects. This review will mainly discuss the antimicrobial agent-loaded carbon dots for various antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral applications. The current limitations and future research directions in the related field are also proposed. It is hoped that this review will have implications for the future development of functional carbon dots for various practical antimicrobial uses.