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Salt-washed graphene oxide and its cytotoxicity
Ondřej Mrózek1, Lucie Melounková2, Darina Smržová3
1Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 250 68, Husinec, Řež, Czech Republic; Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentská 573, 53210, Pardubice, Czech Republic.
A new salt-washing technique effectively purifies graphene oxide (GO) by removing metallic impurities. Purified GO exhibits reduced cytotoxicity, but intrinsic properties still limit its use in biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Graphene oxide (GO) possesses unique properties, often influenced by impurities introduced during synthesis.
- Metallic species from the oxidation process pose a significant challenge for large-scale GO purification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel, scalable purification technique for graphene oxide.
- To assess the impact of purification on GO's properties and suitability for biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- A three-step salt-washing (NaCl) method involving aggregation, washing, and salt removal.
- Characterization using ICP, EPR spectroscopy, TEM with SEAD, and AFM.
- Evaluation of cytotoxicity in fibroblastic cell cultures.
Main Results:
- The salt-washing technique significantly improved GO purity, confirmed by ICP and EPR.
- Microscopic analyses demonstrated that the purification process is reversible and preserves GO morphology and defect concentration.
- Cytotoxicity assays revealed a strong correlation between GO purity and reduced toxicity, though intrinsic cytotoxicity remains.
Conclusions:
- Salt-washing is an effective method for purifying graphene oxide, removing metallic impurities without altering its structure.
- While purification mitigates some cytotoxicity, inherent properties of GO may still restrict its widespread biomedical applications.
