The optoelectronic properties of hybrid nanomaterial systems with inexpensive, transition metal oxide (TMO such as cobalt oxide), and carbon nanomaterials have gained immense interest in biomedical applications. Surface functionalizing TMOs with fluorescent, biocompatible carbon dots leads to synergistic, tunable photoelectronic properties as a hybrid nanoparticle for increasing their photoluminescence intensity, thereby making it a potential bioimaging agent. In this study, by incorporating cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles inside the carbon nanoshell layer, we hypothesize that the surface defect states are altered in a nitrogen-rich carbon-based matrix, thereby increasing the photoluminescence of the hybrid nanoparticles due to interfacial interactions between the Co3O4 nanoparticles and carbon nanoshells. Hence, we synthesized a spherical hybrid with Co3O4 nanoparticles core on carbon nanodots (CNDs) shell using a simple, microwave synthetic technique. UV-Visible, Photoluminescence, Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission electron microscopic techniques were performed for characterizing the composition, structure, morphology, and optical properties of the synthesized particles. The Co3O4@CNDs hybrid nanoparticles showed enhanced optical properties than CNDs in cellular imaging. The hybrids were tested as an effective biological agent in cancer cells and normal cells. Cellular uptake of the hybrid nanoparticles by confocal microscopy, and cellular viability and antioxidant assays were performed in two cell lines, A549 cancer, and EAhy 926 human cells. The results show efficient uptake in both cell lines and cytotoxicity to A549 cells while higher viability of the EAhy926 normal cells. Overall, the synthesized hybrid nanoparticles suggest a potential theranostic agent for cancer therapy.

Developing a novel Co3O4@CNDs hybrid functional nanoparticle for bioimaging, anticancer and antioxidant applications

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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