Facile synthesis of 2-10 nm-sized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from graphite powder by organic solvent-assisted liquid exfoliation using a sonochemical method is reported in this study. Synthesized GQDs are well dispersed in organic solvents like ethyl acetoacetate (EAA), dimethyl formamide (DMF) and also in water. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry reveals its selective mass fragmentation. Detailed characterizations by various techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirm the formation of disordered, functional GQDs. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation confirms HOMO-LUMO energy gap variation with changing size and functionalities. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of as-prepared GQDs were studied in detail. The ensemble studies of GQDs showed excellent photoluminescence properties comprising normal and upconverted fluorescence, delayed fluorescence and room-temperature phosphorescence. PL decay dynamics of GQDs has been explored using time-correlated single-photon technique (TCSPC) as well as femtosecond fluorescence upconversion technique. In vitro cytotoxicity study reveals its biocompatibility and high cell viability (>91%) even at high concentration (400 μg mL(-1)) of GQDs in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.

The use of functional properties of native cyclodextrins in palladium nanoparticle-b-cyclodextringraphene nanosheet (Pd@CD-GNS) catalyzed carbon-carbon (C-C) coupling reactions have been investigated under green reaction conditions. The supramolecular catalyst was prepared by deposition of Pd nanoparticles (Pd NPs) on CD-GNS using ethanol as the greener solvent and in situ reducing agent. The catalyst was characterised by FTIR, XRD, RAMAN, UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, SAED, XPS and ICP-AES. The catalytic activity of these catalysts is investigated in C-C coupling reactions such as Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck-Mizoroki reactions of aryl bromides and aryl chlorides containing functional groups under green reaction conditions i.e. in water, under phosphine free and aerobic conditions. This catalyst afforded excellent selectivities for the products in good to excellent yields under low Pd loadings (0.2-0.05 mol%), while ensuring the recovery and reusability of the catalysts. The reused catalyst was characterized by FTIR, TEM, XPS and ICP-AES. The CD supramolecular mediators loaded on GNS act as stabilising agents for the Pd NPs. The excellent catalytic activity of this system was attributed to the presence of CDs, excellent dispersibility in water, hydrophobic nature of the GNS support for the accumulation of organic substrates in water, "Breslow effect", the presence of PTC to overcome the mass transfer limitation onto the surface of GNS and formation of ternary CD/substrate/additive complexes on the Pd-GNS surface.

Applied tissue engineering in regenerative medicine warrants our enhanced understanding of the biomaterials and its function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation potential of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) grown on chitosan hydrogel. The stability of this hydrogel is pH-dependent and its swelling property is pivotal in providing a favorable matrix for cell growth. The study utilized an economical method of cross linking the chitosan with 0.5% glutaraldehyde. Following the isolation of hADSCs from omentum tissue, these cells were cultured and characterized on chitosan hydrogel. Subsequent assays that were performed included JC-1 staining for the mitochondrial integrity as a surrogate marker for viability, cell proliferation and growth kinetics by MTT assay, lineage specific differentiation under two-dimensional culture conditions. Confocal imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and flow cytometry were used to evaluate these assays. The study revealed that chitosan hydrogel promotes cell proliferation coupled with > 90% cell viability. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated safety profile. Furthermore, glutaraldehyde cross linked chitosan showed < 5% cytotoxicity, thus serving as a scaffold and facilitating the expansion and differentiation of hADSCs across endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm lineages. Additional functionalities can be added to this hydrogel, particularly those that regulate stem cell fate.

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Production of H2 fuel from photocatalytic splitting of water is one of the most demanding research studies in terms of sustainable development in the energy sector. In our quest to find an effective photocatalyst for H2 production, we prepared graphene quantum dots/TiO2-based nanocomposites using a simple hydrothermal method and studied the effect of varying morphologies of TiO2 on photocatalytic H2 production. The crystal structure, morphology, surface, and optical properties were thoroughly studied by using X-ray diffraction and different spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques. The outcome of the comparative study by using various graphene quantum dots/TiO2 nanocomposites found that P-25 TiO2-based nanocomposite gives the highest rate of H2 production among all with 29,548 μmol g–1 h–1 and is almost 14 times efficient compared to pristine P-25 TiO2. It was also evident from the characterization results that the morphology and biphasic nature of TiO2 play a crucial role in H2 production. The plausible reaction mechanism explained the dual role (cocatalyst and sensitizer) of graphene quantum dots on TiO2 nanoparticles and beneficial properties of biphasic TiO2 as an efficient charge transfer mechanism. The prepared photocatalysts also exhibited good stability, which was examined for four cycles with a time period of 4 h, making them feasible candidates for practical applications in the future.

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