In Vitro and In Vivo Biocompatibility of Boron/Nitrogen Co-Doped Carbon Nano-Onions

Abstract

Boron/nitrogen, co-doped, carbon nano-onions (BN-CNOs) have recently shown great promise as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction, due to the improved electronic properties imparted by the dopant atoms; however, the interactions of BN-CNOs with biological systems have not yet been explored. In this study, we examined the toxicological profiles of BN-CNOs and oxidized BN-CNOs (oxi-BN-CNOs) in vitro in both healthy and cancer cell lines, as well as on the embryonic stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in vivo. The cell viabilities of both cell lines cells were not affected after treatment with different concentrations of both doped CNO derivatives. On the other hand, the analysis of BN-CNOs and oxidized BN-CNO interactions with zebrafish embryos did not report any kind of perturbations, in agreement with the in vitro results. Our results show that both doped CNO derivatives possess a high biocompatibility and biosafety in cells and more complex systems.

Zero-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials for Fluorescent Sensing and Imaging

“…In contrast, nonmetal doping is more advantageous than metal doping. In nonmetal doping, carbon atoms in the sp 2 - and sp 3 -hybridized network of 0D CNMs are replaced with N, B, S, P, Si, or halogen atoms, ,− which extends the π–electron conjugation, changes the 0D CNMs aggregation state, generates additional energy levels, and promotes radiative combination, therefore, improves the optical properties. , Among these methods, nitrogen doping is used the most often because nitrogen is the closest to carbon in the periodic table. , N doping injects electrons into 0D CNMs to form surface states and trap excited electrons, which can increase the electronic density and, thus, substantially enhance the QY. , …”

“…288,289 Among these methods, nitrogen doping is used the most often because nitrogen is the closest to carbon in the periodic table. 290,291 N doping injects electrons into 0D CNMs to form surface states and trap excited electrons, which can increase the electronic density and, thus, substantially enhance the QY. 292,293…”

Supramolecular Functionalisation of B/N Co-Doped Carbon Nano-Onions for Novel Nanocarrier Systems

“…Our group has developed a new type of CNO; the boron/nitrogen co-doped carbon nano-onion (BN-CNO). This nanomaterial shows enhanced aqueous dispersibility and low cytotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo studies [ 13 ]. These BN-CNOs are produced through a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method involving the thermal annealing of detonation nano-diamonds in the presence of boric acid [ 14 ].…”

“…Although BN-CNOs have improved aqueous dispersibility compared to CNOs due to the increased presence of oxygen-containing functional groups combined with heteroatoms in the pristine form ( Figure 1 Framed), they too require further functionalisation for true long-term aqueous dispersibility. In addition, the oxidation of BN-CNOs results in a loss of heteroatom content due to the preferential oxidation of the active B/N sites [ 13 ]. Therefore, this study focuses on the non-covalent surface functionalisation of CNOs.…”

“…This system also incorporates HA-DMPE, a biocompatible polymer conjugate with targetability toward the CD44 receptor. The synthesis of the supramolecular system and its components is simple and environmentally friendly, and the individual components are biocompatible [ 13 , 26 ]. Physicochemical characterisation was performed on BN-CNO/HA-DMPE dispersions using UV-Vis absorption, FTIR, and DLS methods.…”