Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots (GOQD) is a nanomaterial produced by a strong acid reaction in which carbon-based nanoparticles are exfoliated. GOQD have a size of ca. 10 nm, which have the potential to serve as a fluorescent agent for tumor detection and drug delivery into the brain. Their color depend on their size with bigger nanoparticles emitting lower energy photons. Also, GOQD exhibit high biocompatibility in mammal cells. Our objectives are focused on optimizing the methodology of the synthesis of this material to obtain a higher yield while characterizing their physical and chemical properties. We hypothesized that by making modifications in the synthesis, changing the time as well as the acids used, we can obtain the same results. The material obtained was exposed to a UV Lamp to confirm their fluorescence. A microplate reader was used to characterize their fluorescence using emission wavelengths ranged between 350 and 790 nm, showing a constant fluorescence peak at 550 nm. Raman spectroscopy was used to verify the completion of our synthesis, X-ray Diffraction was used to confirm the structure and purity of the sample, and the Atomic Force Microscopy was used to confirm the particle size. Our results showed that a pure quantum dots and small sizes were achieved and the synthesis lasted an average of 4 hours approximately, reducing the production period from 4 days. These results will help and provide to the scientific community a novel tool for future biomedical applications.

Synthesis and characterization of a highly biocompatible and fluorescent carbon material: Graphene oxide quantum dots

256th National Meeting (2018)

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