Abstract
In this study, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced-thiolated GO (rGOSH) were used as 2D substrate to fabricate nanocomposites with nanoparticles of gold nanospheres (AuNS) or nanorods (AuNR), via in situ reduction of the metal salt precursor and seed-mediated growth processes. The plasmonic sensing capability of the gold-decorated nanosheets were scrutinized by UV-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were performed in order to prove the actual reduction that occurred concomitantly with the thiolation of GO, the increase in the hydrophobic character as well as the size, and preferential gathering of the gold nanoparticles onto the nanosheet substrates, respectively. Moreover, the theoretical electronic and infrared absorption (UV-VIS and IR) spectra were calculated within a time-dependent approach of density functional theory (DFT). Eventually, in vitro cellular experiments on human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y line) were carried out in order to evaluate the nanotoxicity of the nanocomposites by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide tetrazolium reduction (MTT) colorimetric assay. Results pointed out the promising potential of these hybrids as plasmonic theranostic platforms with different hydrophilic or hydrophobic features as well as cytotoxic effects against cancer cells.
Highlights
Theranostics has a high potential to develop personalized medicine, since it combines diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into a multicomponent platform, offering enhanced specific targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and real-time imaging of the therapeutic process [1]
We proposed a new theranostic platform based on thiolated reduced graphene oxide and integrated with plasmonic spherical and rod-like gold nanoparticles
From all UV-VIS spectroscopic studies, carried out in the comparison of thiolated reduced graphene oxide with graphene oxide, it can be inferred that the optical absorption of GO is dominated by the π→π* plasmon peak near 230 nm (Figure 1)
Summary
Theranostics has a high potential to develop personalized medicine, since it combines diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into a multicomponent platform, offering enhanced specific targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and real-time imaging of the therapeutic process [1]. Made up of sp2 -hybridized carbon atoms monolayers arranged into hexagonal crystal lattice [4], has shown intriguing properties such as ultra-high specific area [5], high thermal [6] and electrical [7] conductivity, low charge-transfer resistance [8], high tensile strength [9], and elasticity [10]. Despite such promising outlook, so far, a wide use of graphene in nanomedicine has been limited by its superhydrophobic character, i.e., the poor solubility in aqueous solvent. The development of chemically or physically modified graphene-based materials, including graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), allows for a more versatile use of graphene with tailored properties for applications in biosensing, imaging, therapeutic, and drug delivery [11,12,13,14,15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
