Synthesis of novel cyclodextrin-modified reduced graphene oxide composites by a simple hydrothermal method

Cyclodextrin (β-CD)-functionalized reduced graphene oxide was successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, followed by conjugating with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and folic acid (FA). Microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposites. Photothermal experiments showed that β-CD-functionalized reduced graphene oxide exhibited higher photothermal conversion efficiency in the near infrared region than reduced graphene oxide functionalized with other molecules under the same conditions. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated that rGO@CD@PEG@FA possessed good biocompatibility even at high concentration. When doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded on the rGO@CD@PEG@FA nanocomposite, it showed the stimulative effect of heat, pH response, and sustained drug release. Cytotoxicity experiments also confirmed the targeted effect and high efficiency of the combined therapy. The findings of the present study provide an ideal drug delivery system for malignant cancer therapy due to the advanced synergistic chemo-photothermal targeted therapy and good drug release properties.