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Supramolecular functionalisation of B/N co-doped carbon nano-onions for novel nanocarrier systems

Mohan, Hugh orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-6051-3348, Bincoletto, Valeria, Arpicco, Silvia and Giordani, Silvia orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-9212-5067 (2022) Supramolecular functionalisation of B/N co-doped carbon nano-onions for novel nanocarrier systems. MDPI Materials, 15 . ISSN 1996-1944

Abstract
Boron/nitrogen co-doped carbon nano-onions (BN-CNOs) are spherical nanoparticles that consist of multiple inter-nestled fullerene layers, giving them an onion-like internal structure. They have potential as nanocarriers due to their small size, aqueous dispersibility, and biocompatibility. The non-covalent attachment of a biocompatible polymer to BN-CNOs is a simple and effective method of creating a scaffold for a novel nanocarrier system as it allows for increased aqueous dispersibility whilst preventing the immune system from recognising the particle as a foreign object. The noncovalent approach also preserves the electronic and structural properties of the BN-CNOs. In this study, we attached a hyaluronic acid-phospholipid (HA-DMPE) conjugate polymer to the BN-CNO’s surface to improve its hydrophilicity and provide targetability toward HA-receptor overexpressing cancer cells. To this end, various ratios of HA-DMPE to BN-CNOs were investigated. The resulting supramolecular systems were characterised via UV-Vis absorption and FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential techniques. It was found that the HA-DMPE conjugate polymer was permanently wrapped around the BN-CNO nanoparticle surface. Moreover, the resulting BN-CNO/HA-DMPE supramolecular systems displayed enhanced aqueous solubility compared to unfunctionalised BN-CNOs, with excellent long-term stability observed in aqueous dispersions.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Additional Information:Article number: 5987
Uncontrolled Keywords:carbon nano-onions; boron/nitrogen doping; hyaluronic acid; nanocarrier; phospholipid; supramolecular system; CD44; carbon nanomaterials; aqueous dispersibility; conjugate polymer
Subjects:UNSPECIFIED
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Chemical Sciences
Publisher:MDPI
Official URL:https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma15175987
Copyright Information:© 2022 The Authors. Open Access (CC-BY 4.0)
Funders:Irish Research Council (IRC) grant number GOIPG/2021/210, Ministry of University and Research—University of Turin “Fondi Ricerca Locale
ID Code:27674
Deposited On:08 Sep 2022 09:58 by Hugh Mohan . Last Modified 08 Sep 2022 09:58
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