Theranostic Nanoplatforms of Thiolated Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets and Gold Nanoparticles

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.

Portable Nanocomposite System for Wound Healing in Space

“…Due to their peculiar properties, hydrogels are already well-known materials for wound healing applications [ 42 ]. However, to maintain a better-oxygenated environment, favor a more controlled and sustained release of the drug, and gain material with improved mechanical properties, in this work, we have focalized our attention on cryogel, performing a standard polymerization procedure at a temperature below the freezing point of polymerization solvent [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. This procedure allows us to obtain interconnected macroporous materials with excelled swelling ability, ideal for the goal to be applied to wounded skin and release the appropriate amount of the desired drug [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

“…To date, the number of products produced by nanotechnology or containing nanomaterials is increasing. Current applications include healthcare (drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and diagnostics), environmental protection, electronics, cosmetics, and information technology [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Green Light-Triggerable Chemo-Photothermal Activity of Cytarabine-Loaded Polymer Carbon Dots: Mechanism and Preliminary In Vitro Evaluation

“…However, low stability, long-term toxicity, and high cost have drastically limited their diffusion in PTT. To overcome these drawbacks, photothermal-responsive carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbonized polymer dots (CPDs), carbon quantum dots, and graphene oxide have attracted strong interest. , CPDs are fascinating materials that, by combining the optical properties of the nanosized carbon dots with the multifunctionality of the polymer, can provide multiresponsive nanostructures for chemo-PTT. The synergistic effect between PTT and chemotherapy is one of the latest therapy methods to cure cancer .…”

Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes with Cationic Cyclodextrin Carbon Nanotubes and Ferrocenyl-Carnosine for Electrochemical Sensing of Hg(II)

“…In line with this research topic, here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of cationic β-cyclodextrin-functionalized CNTs (CNT-CDs). − The ability of CDs to form stable host-guest inclusion complexes , was combined with the design of a suitable recognition element (ferrocenylcarnosine (FcCAR) , ) that can act as a guest, allowing the fine-tuning of specific features for electrochemical sensing. FcCAR was designed considering three main characteristics: (1) the electroanalytical properties of the Fc unit; (2) the high affinity of CAR for heavy metals , ; and (3) the high affinity of CD cavities for the Fc unit ( K ≈ 10 3 M), which allows efficient inclusion by supramolecular interactions.…”