Near-infrared carbon dots: pioneering emerging frontiers in biomedical applications

• Near-infrared carbon dots (NIR-CDs) exhibit superior photostability, biocompatibility, and minimal toxicity, making them promising for biomedical applications. • NIR light (700–1700 nm) enables deep tissue penetration and reduced background interference, enhancing the performance of CDs in biosensing, bioimaging, and therapy. • Preparation methods for NIR-CDs include top-down and bottom-up approaches, with wavelength modulation achievable through doping, surface functionalization, and size control. • Despite progress, challenges such as scalability, targeted delivery, and clinical translation remain, necessitating further research and development.