<br/>Graphene family materials (GFMs), such as graphene and fullerenes, have shown promising photo-theranostic efficacy for tumor imaging and therapy. However, their strong hydrophobic nature limits their bioavailability and overall therapeutic efficacy when used <i>in vivo</i>. Bicelles, which are self-assembling, discoidal phospholipid nanostructures with a hydrophobic core, can be used to deliver hydrophobic drugs and molecules. Herein, we present a facile method for the encapsulation of graphene and fullerene in bicelles. Using small angle X-ray scattering, we further investigated the sub-particle structure of the bicelle in order to determine the impact of GFM encapsulation on the bicelle stability and structure. While lower concentrations of graphene encapsulation produced stable bicelles solutions, higher concentrations led to the formation of a mixture of bicelles and multilamellar vesicles. Fullerene encapsulation, even at exceptionally high concentrations, only produced bicelle solutions. Further, we found that fullerenes preferred to orient themselves around the rim of the bicelle, which is consistent with our previous data for the encapsulation of other small spherical particles.<br/>

Designing self-assembled high-efficiency lipid nanodiscs for the encapsulation of graphene family materials

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.