Hydrophilic Carbon Nanomaterials: Characterisation by Physical, Chemical, and Biological Assays

Abstract

A highly hydrophilic carbon nanomaterial was generated by using an electrochemical approach, and its structure, chemical composition, redox properties, antioxidant activity and effects on cells were characterised. It was found that the nanomaterial possesses a structure dominated by sp2 carbon atoms in a non‐ordered carbon network formed by small clusters (<2 nm) of a carbonaceous material. This material has an outstanding capability for donating electrons and an unusual ability to bind metal cations. Antioxidant activity assays showed that it displays a high scavenging activity against both 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radicals, and a concentration‐dependent ability to protect mitochondrial lipids and intracellular thiol groups from oxidation promoted by external oxidising agents. Cell‐based assays also revealed that the nanomaterial has the ability to protect neuronal cells against oxidative damage and toxicity promoted by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide and amyloid‐β1–42 peptide. These results, combined with the attractive methodology for generating this hydrophilic carbon‐based nanomaterial, make this study the first step in addressing the therapeutic application of this new material.

Electrochemical properties of oxygen-enriched carbon-based nanomaterials

“…Four different sets of nanomaterials were prepared, which differed on the time and/or on the applied current used in the galvanostatic polarization, Table 1. Keeping the acronym that was previously used to name the hydrophilic carbon nanomaterial that was produced (EHC -Electrogenerated Hydrophilic Carbon) [19], the prepared materials were labeled as EHCz, where z represents the duration of the galvanostatic experiment (e.g. EHC1, for 1-hour electrolysis).…”

“…XPS analysis was performed using an XSAM800 spectrometer from KRATOS. Sample preparation and spectrometer operating conditions were described elsewhere [19]. Spectra were acquired using the software Vision 2 for Windows, Version 2.2.9 (KRATOS).…”

Carbon Quantum Dots of Ginsenoside Rb1 for Application in a Mouse Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

“…1e). The results indicated that the emission wavelengths of RBCQDs were mainly concentrated in the range of 490 nm to 550 nm, and the uorescence intensity showed an increasing-thendecreasing trend with the excitation wavelength, possibly related to the diversity of luminescent sites on the surface of RBCQDs or size effects [10].…”