Applications of cyanine-nanoparticle systems in science: Health and environmental perspectives

Cyanine-based chemosensors have outstanding photophysical and photochemical properties due to their good biocompatibility and low toxicity to living systems, with a wide range of applications in biomedicine, imaging, and biochemistry. Based on such properties, recent studies revealed that combining cyanine's superior properties with nanoparticles results in ideal platforms with improved performances and applications. This review focuses on the last decade's developments in cyanine – nanoparticle systems and their end-point applications in the environmental and health fields. In each section, a systematization according to the type of nanomaterial and the different cyanine conjugations are emphasized with the scope to bring breakthroughs in future applications.