自纳米科学和纳米技术诞生以来，碳点（CD）一直是基本思想，并主导着纳米领域的发展。由于其众多独特的结构、物理化学和光化学特性，CD 成为生物学、技术、催化和其他领域的一个有趣的平台。由于已经创建了几个碳点，因此已根据其合成过程和发光特性对它们进行了评估。由于其生物相容性、毒性较小，以及与其他碳纳米结构相比最显着的荧光特性，CD 具有多种优点。本综述重点关注天然来源 CD 的表征、应用和合成技术的最新进展。它还将指导科学家创建一种更实用、更有效、更环保的可调节碳点合成技术。 CD 具有低毒性和低成本的特点，满足了新时代对各种事物的检测和传感（例如生物材料传感、酶、化学污染和温度传感）更高选择性和灵敏度的要求。其多种特性，如光学特性、化学发光和形态分析，使其成为生物成像、药物输送、生物传感器和癌症诊断的良好选择。© 2024 John Wiley

Since the beginning of nanoscience and nanotechnology, carbon dots (CDs) have been the foundational idea and have dominated the growth of the nano-field. CDs are an intriguing platform for utilization in biology, technology, catalysis, and other fields thanks to their numerous distinctive structural, physicochemical, and photochemical characteristics. Since several carbon dots have already been created, they have been assessed based on their synthesis process, and luminescence characteristics. Due to their biocompatibility, less toxic effects, and most significantly their fluorescent features in contrast to other carbon nanostructures, CDs have several benefits. This review focuses on the most recent advancements in the characterization, applications, and synthesis techniques used for CDs made from natural sources. It will also direct scientists in the creation of a synthesis technique for adjustable carbon dots that is more practical, effective, and environmentally benign. With low toxicity and low cost, CDs are meeting the new era's requirements for more selectivity and sensitivity in the detection and sensing of various things, such as biomaterial sensing, enzymes, chemical contamination, and temperature sensing. Its variety of properties, such as optical properties, chemiluminescence, and morphological analysis, make it a good option to use in bioimaging, drug delivery, biosensors, and cancer diagnosis.© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.