Preparation of graphene oxide-graphene quantum dots hybrid and its application in cancer theranostics

Currently, an enormous amount of cancer research based on two-dimensional nano-graphene oxide (GO), as well as zero-dimensional graphene quantum dots (GQDs), is being carried out in the fields of therapeutics and diagnostics. However, the exploration of their hybrid “functional” nanomaterials in the theranostic system is still rare. In the current study, a stable complex of GO and GQDs was formed by an electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly via a polyethylene imine bridge (GO-PEI-GQDs). Furthermore, we compared separate mono-equivalents of the GO-PEI-GQDs complex - GO and GQDs, in terms of cell imaging (diagnostics), photothermal, and oxidative stress response in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). GO-PEI-GQDs showed an excellent photothermal response (44–49 °C) upon 808 nm laser (0.5 W cm−2) exposure for 5 min at a concentration up to 50 μg/mL. We report new synergistic properties of GO-PEI-GQDs such as stable fluorescence imaging and enhanced photothermal and cytotoxic activities on cancer cells. Composite materials made up of GO and GQDs combining diverse properties help to study 2D-0D heterosystems and improve specific therapeutic systems in theranostics.