Abstract Quantum dots (QDs) with unique quantum confinement effect and electro-optical properties are attractive for biomedical applications. Toxic effects of traditional semiconductor QDs made of heavy metal ions have serious safety concerns for their undesired environmental or healthy impact. Recent reports on core-shell structure modification of QDs by using biocompatible ligands or polymers is one way to be effectively minimizing toxicity effects of traditional QDs. Furthermore, designs of heave metal-free and metal-free QDs formulations are more promising alternatives, due to the non-toxic and eco-friendly nature of the starting materials. In article, we will review the recent designs of non-toxic or less toxic QDs, including carbon-based, biomolecules-based, silicon-based, and ternary I-III-VI QDs, and their biological applications (bio-imaging, drug delivery, gene therapy and immunoassay).

中文翻译：

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无毒量子点及其生物医学应用的最新进展

摘要 具有独特量子限制效应和电光特性的量子点 (QD) 在生物医学应用中具有吸引力。由重金属离子制成的传统半导体量子点的毒性作用因其对环境或健康的不良影响而引起严重的安全问题。最近关于使用生物相容性配体或聚合物对 QD 进行核壳结构修饰的报道是有效降低传统 QD 毒性影响的一种方法。此外，由于起始材料的无毒和环保性质，无金属和无金属量子点配方的设计是更有前途的替代品。在文章中，我们将回顾最近设计的无毒或低毒量子点，包括碳基、生物分子基、硅基和三元 I-III-VI 量子点，