Quantum dots-hydrogel composites for biomedical applications

Quantum dots-hydrogel composites are promising new materials that have attracted extensive attention due to their incomparable biocompatibility and acceptable biodegradability, leading to enormous potential applications for various fields. This review summarizes the recent advances in quantum dots-hydrogel composites with a focus on synthesis methods, including hydrogel gelation in quantum dots (QDs) solution, embedding prepared QDs into hydrogels after gelation, forming QDs in situ within the preformed gel and cross-linking via QDs to form hydrogels. In particularly, biomedical applications as bioimaging, biosensing and drug delivery are also reviewed, followed by a discussion on the inherent challenges of design optimization, biocompatibility and bimodal applications and the prospect of the future development. These results will guide the development of quantum dots-hydrogel composites and provide critical insights to inspire researchers in future.