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Review
. 2025 May 11;15(10):725.
doi: 10.3390/nano15100725.

Carbon Nanodots-Based Sensors: A Promising Tool for Detecting and Monitoring Toxic Compounds

Duyen H H Nguyen  1   2   3 , Arjun Muthu  3   4 , Tamer Elsakhawy  5 , Mohamed H Sheta  6 , Neama Abdalla  7 , Hassan El-Ramady  8 , József Prokisch  1
Affiliations
Review

Carbon Nanodots-Based Sensors: A Promising Tool for Detecting and Monitoring Toxic Compounds

Duyen H H Nguyen et al. Nanomaterials (Basel). .

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of toxic compounds in food, agriculture, and the environment presents a critical challenge to public health and ecological sustainability. Carbon nanodots (CNDs), with their excellent photoluminescence, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization, have emerged as highly promising materials for developing advanced sensors that target hazardous substances. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, functionalization, and sensing mechanisms of CND-based sensors, highlighting their versatile application in detecting toxic compounds such as heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and emerging contaminants. The article outlines recent advancements in fluorescence, electrochemical, and colorimetric detection strategies and presents key case studies that illustrate the successful application of CNDs in real-world monitoring scenarios. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges associated with reproducibility, scalability, selectivity, and sensor stability and explores future directions for integrating CNDs with smart and sustainable technologies. This review emphasizes the transformative potential of CNDs in achieving rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly toxin detection solutions across multiple domains.

Keywords: carbon dots; contaminants; heavy metal; probes; rapid detection; ultrasensitive sensor devices.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Primary aspects of carbon nanodots (CNDs) for sensing applications.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Benefits and risks of agrochemicals, including heavy metals, pesticides, emerging contaminants, and fertilizers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The main components of CND-based sensors.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Functionalization strategies of carbon nanodots (CNDs).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Challenges in carbon nanodot-based sensors.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Balancing innovation and tradition in carbon nanodot-based sensors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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