Self-assembly of one-side-functionalized graphene nanosheets in bilayered superstructures for drug delivery

Abstract

In this article, we describe the one-side functionalization of graphene nanosheets with hydrophilic catechol-bearing pyrrolidine rings. For this purpose, we used, for the first time, a solvothermal alternative of 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide. To achieve asymmetrical reaction, graphene nanosheets were initially and during reaction deposited on glass substrate. The result of one-side functionalization of graphene was the formation of amphiphilic few-layered graphene nanosheets. The modified side becomes hydrophilic due to the attachment of catechols, while the nonmodified side remains hydrophobic. In the literature, there are limited examples of functionalized graphene with different sides, the so-called Janus-type graphenes. These amphiphilic graphene nanosheets dispersed in water were self-organized in bilayer superstructures, with hydrophilic outer surface and hydrophobic internal space. The later can host hydrophobic molecules such as anticancer drugs and could be used in drug delivery systems. As an example, camptothecin, a drug practically insoluble in water, was used here to show that it can be transferred to water phase using graphene as transporter.