Table 2 Summary of QD-based biosensing platforms, including sensing nanostructures, target analytes, sensing mechanisms, LOD, and corresponding linear detection ranges reported in the literature

CdTeS QDs@SiO₂ + ZnCdS QDs@MIP

Ascorbic acid

Ratiometric fluorescence

0.78 µM

1–500 µM

[61]

GONAP + Ab–QDs complexes

Human IgG ;

E. coli

Wash-free, single-antibody photoluminescent immunosensor

For E. coli: 65 CFU g^{− 1} (poultry), and 70 CFU mL^{− 1} (river water).

For human IgG : 1.60 ng mL^{− 1}

–

[62]

CdTe QDs conjugated with rabbit anti-AIV H5N1 antibody

AIV H5N1 antigen

sFLISA

1.5 × 10⁻⁴ µg mL⁻¹

8.0 × 10⁻³ - 5.1 × 10⁻¹ µg mL⁻¹

[63]

QD-dsDNA

HIV-DNA

Fluorescent lateral flow assay (QD-based ICA strip)

0.76 pM

1 pM - 10 nM

[64]

Quantum fluorescent dots (used in immunochromatographic strip)

SARS-CoV-2 (S-gene fragment)

CRISPR/Cas13a-assisted fluorescent immunochromatographic assay

1 virus mL^{− 1}

–

[65]

QD/MS/MIP

Tetracycline

Fluorescence probe (MIP-based)

–

50–1000 ng mL⁻¹

[66]

CuInSe₂ (CISe) QDs coated with ZnS shell (CISe@ZnS)

CTCs

NIR-II luminescent bioassay / imaging nanoprobe

12 cells well^{− 1}

–

[68]

HM-Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/Tetra-DNA-Ag₂S

CTCs

NIR fluorescence-based magnetic separation nanoplatform

–

6–10 cells mL⁻¹ (patient blood samples)

[69]

TiO₂/CdS nanosheets with Ag@Cu₂O core-shell submicron particles (SPs)

cTnI

PEC

6.7 fg mL^{− 1}

0.02 pg mL^{− 1} - 50 ng mL^{− 1}

[74]

RGO–AuNPs with CdTe QDs

CEA

PEC aptasensor

0.47 pg mL^{− 1}

0.001–2.0 ng mL^{− 1}

[75]

CuInS₂ microflowers (MFs) with Ce6-Ab2-PAA@UCNPs

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

PEC + NIR-FV immunosensor

0.03 pg mL^{− 1} (PEC mode)

PEC: 0.0001–50 ng mL^{− 1}; NIR-FV: 0.001–10 ng mL^{− 1}

[76]

Co²⁺-doped CdTe nanocrystals

CEA

NIR ECL immunosensor

0.2 fg mL^{− 1}

1 fg mL^{− 1} – 10 pg mL^{− 1}

[85]

CdS: Mn QDs with AuNPs using DCHA

miRNA-21 and MUC1

ECL

miRNA-21: 11 aM; MUC1: 0.40 fg mL^{− 1}

–

[86]

SQDs with tsDNA nanostructures

miRNA-21

NIR ECL biosensor

6.67 aM

20 aM - 1 nM

[87]

Luminol/CQDs/CdS QD–AuNP–MB ECL nanoprobes

IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 (triple LTBI markers)

Multiplexed ECL immunosensor

–

1.6–200 pg mL^{− 1}

[88]

Micelles co-encapsulating hydrophobic CdSe/ZnS QDs + dibenzoyl peroxide (coreactant)

SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid Protein

ECL Immunosensor

3.0 pg mL^{− 1}

0.01 -50 ng mL^{− 1}

[89]