Combining digital imaging and quantum dots for analytical purposes

This review provides a critical assessment of the most recent advances in digital imaging (DI) methods, applied for the development of analytical methodologies combining quantum dots (QDs). The state-of-the-art, treatment of data, instrumental considerations, software, sensing approaches, and optimization of the resulting methods are reported. Applications of the technology for the analysis of food and beverages, biomedically relevant analytes, drugs, environmental samples and forensic samples are also discussed. These examples aim to highlight the advantages of DI over traditional instrumentation, that in combination with QDs represents a powerful option for low-cost and on-site analyses. Moreover, some of these DI methods have been explored in the context of green chemistry principles, demonstrating a sustainable approach to modern analytical challenges.