Indocyanine Green (ICG) as an effective near infrared (NIR) light absorber is a suitable agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT) with low side effects as a light activated local cancer treatment. However, the rapid photodegradation and low quantum yield of ICG is a great challenge to expand its application in PDT and bioimaing, respectively. The present study aims to develop carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as a novel nanocarrier for ICG encapsulation to improve its photostability and quantum yield in aqueous media. CQDs are a novel member of carbon nanoparticles with good biocompatibility, easy synthesis route, low toxicity, high photostability, high quantum yield, and excellent water solubility. Here, CQDs were synthesized using hydrothermal method. Then, ICG drug loaded on CQD’s surface with high entrapment efficiency. Characterization analysis such as transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and UV-Vis confirmed the success loading of ICG drug. The final product (ICG@CQD) has a hydrodynamic diameter of about 44 nm with a quantum yield of 53%. Besides, the photostability evaluation of ICG@CQD revealed that CQDs could appreciably increase the photostability of ICG from 8 up to 35 % over 14 days. Consequently, this investigation provides a promising nano platform with high potential for PDT and bio imaging.

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