Exploring the role of carbon quantum dots as countermeasure for SARS-CoV-2 virus

The world witnessed disturbingly rapid unfolding of COVID-19 pandemic with emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus resulting in severe morbidity and mortality and it still persists through incessant transmission across the globe even after years. Since the last decade, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have gained much attention due to their favourable aqueous solubility, nano size (<10 nm), inherent fluorescence, biocompatibility, and environment friendliness. In the wider search for effective strategies for treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus, nanotechnology-based formulation using CQDs have emerged as an interesting option. This article briefly reviews the basic SARS-CoV-2 virology, physicochemical properties, synthesis techniques, and diverse application of CQDs against this virus. Further, latest development and progress of CQD based approaches pertaining to their therapeutic mechanism of action, prevention, and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus were comprehensively discussed. We believe that this compilation will invigorate further research for development of CQD based nanomedicines as countermeasure for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.