Development of graphene and graphene quantum dots toward biomedical engineering applications: A review

Research on the application of graphene (G) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for biomedical engineering has attracted much attention over the last decade. Graphene and its derivatives have shown great biocompatibility, solubility, selectivity, large surface area, high purity, biofunctionalization, high drug loading capacity, and cell membrane penetration capability potential to be applied in biomedical engineering areas. The unique physical and chemical properties of GQDs, including small size, chemical inertness, high photoluminescence stability, low cytotoxicity, and good biocompatibility, made them a promising candidate for biomedical engineering applications. The recent progress related to the development of G and GQDs toward biomedical engineering applications is presented in this work. This study reviews and discusses the development of G and GQDs, both top-down and bottom-up synthesis methods, for biomedical engineering applications, such as biosensing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, bioimaging, antibacterial, and antiviral.