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Structural disruption increases toxicity of graphene nanoribbons
Sayan Mullick Chowdhury1, Subham Dasgupta, Anne E McElroy
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT
|September 17, 2014
Summary
Probe sonication disrupts graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), causing toxicity in human cells and fish embryos even at low concentrations. Post-production structural changes are crucial for nanomaterial safety assessments.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterial science
- Toxicology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are increasingly used in biomedical and material science.
- Evaluating the toxicity of GNRs is essential due to potential exposure.
- Structural integrity of nanomaterials can influence their biological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of structural disruption on GNR toxicity.
- To compare the effects of bath sonication versus probe sonication on GNRs.
- To assess GNR toxicity in both in vitro (human cell lines) and in vivo (Oryzias latipes embryo) models.
Main Methods:
- Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were sonicated using low-energy bath and high-energy probe methods.
- Structural integrity of GNRs was analyzed post-sonication.
- In vitro toxicity was assessed using human cell lines (metabolic activity).
- In vivo toxicity was evaluated using Oryzias latipes embryos (mortality rates).
Main Results:
- Probe sonication, even for 1 minute, led to GNR structural disruption and debris formation.
- Low concentrations (20 µg/ml) of probe-sonicated GNRs significantly reduced cellular metabolic activity in vitro.
- Probe-sonicated GNRs caused increased embryo/larval mortality in Oryzias latipes in vivo.
- Bath sonicated or unsonicated GNRs showed less pronounced toxic effects compared to probe-sonicated GNRs.
Conclusions:
- Structural disruption of GNRs, particularly from probe sonication, significantly enhances their toxicity.
- The formation of smaller carbonaceous debris appears to be a key factor in GNR-induced toxicity.
- Assessing post-production structural modifications is critical for the safe application of GNRs and other nanomaterials.
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