Synthesis of graphene oxide stabilized with different molecules for photohyperthermia applications

• Grant number: 15/07909-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2015
• End date: May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Valtencir Zucolotto
• Grantee: Catarina Brunhara Batista
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project focus on the production of chemically exfoliated graphene (CEG) and its applications in nanomedicine. Upon using simple chemical methods, it is possible to obtain a highly stable and dispersed graphene derivative in water, with good control over size and electronic properties. Graphene oxide will be obtained through the Hummer's modified method. Due to its chemical instability in physiological environment, it is necessary to promote an electrochemical reduction of graphene to obtain a functionalized and chemically stable material, avoiding aggregation in culture media or buffer solutions. In this study, CEG will be reduced in the presence of different molecules, such as glutamine, galactose and lactose. After production, CEG will be characterized via morphological and spectroscopical measurements, prior to its application in photohyperthermia therapy using in vitro assays with breast cancer cell lines. (AU)