Preparation and characterization of fluorescent CQDs/45S5 bioactive nanohybrids as bone targeted drug carriers.

Observing the degradation rate of the bone fillers upon implantation enables us to predict the next stages of healing process. Strong luminescent property of the biocompatible carbon quantum dots accompanied by the high bioactivity of the 45S5 bioglass, bearing an antibiotic drug, can form reliable bone filler with detectable degradation rate via bioimaging. This study reported the preparation of fluorescent carbon quantum dots/45S5 (CQDs/45S5) nanohybrids via the chemical precipitation procedure for the first time. The pyrolysis of the citric acid was carried out to achieve the fluorescent N-doped CQDs with an average size of around 11 nm. The physicochemical and microstructural characteristics of the obtained materials were studied by XRD, FTIR and FESEM, respectively, Ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies were employed to investigate the features of the carbon dots as well as hybrid materials. The PL spectroscopy analysis indicated the in-vitro luminescent emission of the CQDs/45S5 nanohybrids compared to 45S5 bioglass. Around 22 μg of DOX could adhere to 1 mg of the nanohybrids after 12 h of contact, proposed that more quantity of particles were needed to adsorb higher amount of drug. The drug release study indicated a fast release pattern of DOX (90 %) during the first hours. The in-vitro bioactivity and biocompatibility results revealed the high capability of the BG/15 mL CQDs sample to deposit calcium phosphate with no toxic effects on the fibroblast cells. Consequently, the obtained nanohybrids could be promising trackable drug-vehicle candidates, as well as bone fillers, bone cements and implant coating materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]