Supramolecular Functionalisation of B/N Co-Doped Carbon Nano-Onions for Novel Nanocarrier Systems

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 non-covalent 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.

Nitrogen-doped carbon nano-onions/polypyrrole nanocomposite based low-cost flexible sensor for room temperature ammonia detection

“…The FT-IR spectra of CNOs and nitrogen-doped CNOs are shown in Fig. S3 33 , 34 . All the characteristic peaks of CNOs were well-matched with the literature.…”

Carbon Nanomaterials (CNMs) in Cancer Therapy: A Database of CNM-Based Nanocarrier Systems

“…They are classified as 0D, 1D, or 2D, according to the number of dimensions they possess which exist on the nanoscale (<100 nm) [ 5 ]. The allotropic nature of carbon means that a variety of these materials exists, some examples of which include graphene [ 1 ], carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [ 6 ], carbon nano-onions (CNOs) [ 7 ], nanodiamonds (NDs) [ 8 ], and carbon nanohorns [ 9 ]. CNMs have garnered widespread attention for their biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and diagnostics, because of their unique and highly desirable physicochemical and mechanical properties, such as size, biocompatibility, high tensile strength, and ease of chemical functionalisation.…”

“…A range of other examples of covalent CNM modification exists, such as amidation, fluorination, and alkylation [ 17 ]. Covalent functionalisation methods have their drawbacks, mainly because this type of modification can damage the nanomaterial’s surface [ 7 ]. This surface damage can lead to a loss in the CNM’s unique electronic and physical properties, which may be essential to the nanocarrier’s effectiveness.…”