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Carbon dots (CDs) are novel bioimaging tools with fascinating fluorescence properties. We report here the development of novel CDs decorated on a silver–zinc oxide (CD–Ag@ZnO) nanocomposite (NC) consisting of highly fluorescent CDs and Ag@ZnO. The CD–Ag@ZnO NC was characterized by various analytical techniques. Our work provides an insight into the application of this CD–Ag@ZnO NC in monitoring cellular uptake and mediating apoptotic effects in MCF-7 and A549 cancer cell lines. By monitoring the simultaneous green fluorescence emission of the CDs, the distribution of the CD–Ag@ZnO NC could be followed, eliminating the need to use fluorescent organic dyes. Fluorescence microscopy and atomic absorption spectrometry were used for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of cellular uptake. In vitro studies of cancer cells treated with CD–Ag@ZnO NC revealed concentration …