Antimicrobial carbon materials-based quantum dots: From synthesis strategies to antibacterial properties for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in wound healing

The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) pathogens and the rapid depletion of the antibiotic arsenal have sparked interest in discovering and developing innovative antimicrobial agents. One example of these new agents is antimicrobial nanostructured materials, which have received significant attention due to their intrinsic advantages and unique antibacterial mechanisms. Among such antimicrobial nanomaterials, carbon materials-based quantum dots (QDs), including graphene QDs (GQDs), graphene oxide QDs (GOQDs), and carbon QDs (CQDs), have a competitive edge due to their low cytotoxicity, ease of synthesis and modification, and highly uniform dispersibility in aqueous solutions. Carbon-based QDs can be prepared by “top-down” or “bottom-up” approaches, with tailorable properties and antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial properties of CQDs and GQDs, including ROS generation, bacterial membrane disruption, and interference with genomic DNA, have all been well described. For the first time, this review focuses on the emerging mechanisms for enhancing antibacterial effectiveness, such as antimicrobial phototherapy, enzymatic cascade activity, phytochemical therapy, and synergistic effects in combination with antimicrobial agents and herbal extracts for practical applications in bacterial detection and dressings for bacteria-infected wounds, ocular, periodontal, bone, and implant-related infections. Furthermore, the current challenges of carbon-based QDs are summarized, and their future promise for significantly improving treatment options instead of conventional methods against MDR bacteria is highlighted.