Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Fluorescent Nanomaterials

Dear Colleagues,

Fluorescent nanomaterial-based sensing and imaging are effective analytical methods that have been rapidly developed and widely used in many areas due to their excellent chemical and optical properties. In recent years, fluorescent nanomaterials have received special attention over conventional fluorophores, offering great potential for optical bioimaging, medical diagnosis, photocatalysis, and photovoltaic devices. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), especially those based on cadmium salts and related core-shell nanostructures, have proven to have excellent performance, predictable fluorescence color variations, and long-term resistance to photobleaching. However, a serious disadvantage to these popular QDs is that they contain heavy metals, such as cadmium, whose significant toxicity and environmental hazards are well-documented. In the search for alternative QD-like nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials and other nanomaterials have emerged as the most promising due to their relatively high quantum yields, low cost, non-toxic nature, and excellent biocompatibility. The purpose of this Topic is to serve as an exciting collection of primary research and review articles of the recent progress in the field of the Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Non-Toxic fluorescent Nanomaterials. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, (a) the design and preparation of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials for various applications; (b) the preparation of fluorescent quantum dots with a high relative quantum yield for contrast agents in bioimaging; (c) the development of polymetric nanoparticles for the sensing and photoacoustic imaging of multiple biomarkers (e.g., protein, DNA/RNA, and aptamer); (d) the design of fluorescent nanomaterials with wavelengths in the NIR-II region for super-resolution imaging; (e) the construction of functional MOFs to investigate the metabolic process of diseases. We hope that the papers collected in this topic may inspire progress in nanomaterial-based fluorescent sensing and imaging.

Prof. Dr. Mohammed Jaouad Meziani
Prof. Dr. Zhaohui Li
Topic Editors