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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