Recent Advances in the Application of Element Doped Carbon Dots in Multimodal Biological Imaging

Zhihong Liu, Faqi Liang, Qitong Huang, Shuisheng Hu, Xiaofeng Lin, Weijia Zeng

Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3) : 577-600.

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Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3) : 577-600. DOI: 10.7536/PC20251218
Review

Recent Advances in the Application of Element Doped Carbon Dots in Multimodal Biological Imaging

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Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs), as an emerging class of zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, have demonstrated significant potential in the field of biomedical imaging due to their unique photoluminescence properties, excellent biocompatibility, and low toxicity. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress in the application of CDs as dual-modal or multimodal probes in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorescence imaging (FL). It particularly focuses on the synergistic effects of metal ion and heteroatom doping on the physicochemical properties of CDs, with an emphasis on their optical, magnetic, and X-ray attenuation characteristics. The findings reveal that element doping and surface functionalization can significantly enhance the performance of multimodal imaging. For instance, doping with metal ions or heteroatoms can effectively improve the relaxivity in MRI/FL dual-modal imaging and optimize the X-ray attenuation properties in CT/FL dual-modal imaging. Furthermore, some CD-based nanomaterials have successfully achieved MRI/CT/FL trimodal imaging, providing innovative solutions for precision medicine. Despite the progress made, CDs-based multimodal probes still face several challenges, including the imbalance in multimodal performance and the lack of comprehensive long-term biosafety assessments. For future clinical translation, further optimization of material design and the implementation of standardized toxicological evaluations will be essential. These efforts will significantly advance the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Classification and synthesis of doped CDs

2.1 Solvothermal method

2.2 Microwave method

2.3 Pyrolysis method

2.4 Other methods

3 Properties of doped CDs

3.1 Optical properties

3.2 Biocompatibility

3.3 Magnetic properties

3.4 X-ray attenuation properties

4 Advances in multimodal imaging applications

4.1 Doped CDs for CT/FL imaging

4.2 Doped CDs for MRI/FL imaging

4.3 Doped CDs for MRI/CT/FL imaging

4.4 The potential of multimodal imaging for clinical applications

5 Conclusion

Key words

carbon dots / magnetic resonance imaging / computed tomography / fluorescence imaging

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Zhihong Liu , Faqi Liang , Qitong Huang , et al . Recent Advances in the Application of Element Doped Carbon Dots in Multimodal Biological Imaging[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2026, 38(3): 577-600 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC20251218

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(82360647)
National Natural Science Foundation of China(82060599)
Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(20232BAB216101)
Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(20242BAB22006)
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