Recent advances and applications in QDs-based sensors.

As a unique nanomaterial, quantum dots (QDs) are not only applied in fluorescent labeling and biological imaging, but are also utilized in novel sensing systems. Because QDs have attractive optoelectronic characteristics, QD-based sensors present high sensitivity in detecting specific analytes in the chemical and biochemical fields. In this review, we describe the basic principles and different conjugation strategies in QD-based sensors. An overview of recent advances and various models of QD-sensing systems is also provided. Furthermore, perspectives for sensors based on QDs are discussed.