Functionalization of graphene oxide surfaces with phosphorus dendrimer and dendron

We report a novel approach for functionalizing the graphene oxide (GO) surface with AB5 phosphorus dendron, and dendrimer. First, a dendrimer was prepared having tyramine functions on the surface, while the AB5 dendrons were synthesized and characterized having either pyridine derivatives or ethacrynic acid terminal functions and a tyramine derivative linked to the core. Subsequently, these macromolecules were grafted onto the GO surface via covalent bonding. The resulting GO and modified-GO-AB5 dendron/dendrimer materials have been characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS NMR) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. The dendritic structures and the functionalized materials were evaluated for their biological activity against HCT116 (human colon cancer), and against the non-cancerous RPE1 cells for the most active, to evaluate the safety.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel approach for functionalizing graphene oxide (GO) surface with AB5 phosphorus dendron and dendrimer was reported. These functionalized macromolecules were grafted onto the GO surface via covalent bonding. The resulting materials were characterized and evaluated for their biological activity.