Sonochemically N-functionalized graphene oxide towards optically active photoluminescent bioscaffold

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GrO) is a versatile nanomaterial with potential applications in various fields.
• Surface modification of GrO is crucial for tailoring its properties for specific applications.
• Nitrogen functionalization can enhance the optical and biological properties of graphene oxide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize nitrogen functionalized graphene oxide (N-f-GrO) using 2-aminopyrimidine (APD) via covalent functionalization.
• To characterize the synthesized N-f-GrO using various analytical techniques.
• To investigate the photoluminescence properties and biological activity of N-f-GrO for potential biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Sonochemical synthesis of N-f-GrO.
• Covalent functionalization of GrO with APD.
• Characterization using XPS, Raman, XRD, FTIR, HRTEM/SAED, AFM, and SEM.
• Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.
• Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on HaCaT and Vero cell lines.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of N-f-GrO confirmed by XPS, showing arylamine group and covalent bond formation.
• UV-Vis spectroscopy indicated a bathochromic shift, and enhanced weight loss confirmed facile functionalization.
• N-f-GrO exhibited optically active photoluminescence with peaks at 3.78, 3.21, 2.01, and 1.64 eV.
• Concentration-dependent cell viability studies showed cytocompatibility with HaCaT and Vero cell lines, with maximum viability at 20 µg/ml and 10 µg/ml, respectively.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized N-f-GrO possesses desirable photoluminescence properties and cytocompatibility.
• The covalent functionalization of GrO with APD is an effective method for enhancing its properties.
• N-f-GrO shows potential as a nanocarrier for photosensitive biomedical applications.