The utilization of carbon-based nanomaterials in bone tissue regeneration and engineering: Respective featured applications and future prospects

In recent years, with advancements in bone tissue regeneration and engineering technologies, carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) have progressively demonstrated advantages in the therapies of critical bone defects and related diseases that conventional substances fail to develop, such as excellent mechanical properties, large specific surface, tunable surface characteristics, and superior biocompatibility. More importantly, carbon-based nanomaterials with efficient cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation could have a significant impact on bone tissue regeneration. In this paper, we have reviewed the characteristic applications of extraordinary types of carbon-based nanomaterials (fullerene, carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, as well as graphene and its derivatives) in bone tissue regeneration and engineering based on their structural properties, with a view to presenting their unique advantages, applications, and current directions of development as specifically and comprehensively as possible.