Recent Updates on Functionalized Silicon Quantum-Dot-Based Nanoagents for Biomedical Applications

Silicon nanomaterials are one of the most representative inorganic nanomedicines in therapeutic biomedicine. Silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) have aroused wide attention in the biomedical field owing to their abundant natural reserves, favorable biocompatibility, and attractive optical properties. In recent years, extensive efforts have been devoted to exploring efficient strategies for the synthesis of Si QDs suitable for versatile biomedical applications. Herein, this Review focuses on the recent exciting advances in how Si QDs can be designed into promising biomedical materials. Rational design of the fabrication methods and modifications of Si QDs is discussed, which provides a generic idea for the biomedical exploration of modified Si QDs. In addition, up-to-date research hotspots of Si QD applications in the biomedical field are also summarized, including disease diagnosis/therapeutics, bioanalyte sensing, and tissue engineering. This Review aims to provide material researchers with deep insights into the design of novel Si QDs for biomedical applications.