Surface Functionalization of Chemically Reduced Graphene Oxide for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy

In this study, using chemically reduced graphene oxide (GO) as a model nanocarbon, we successfully developed a facile surface-functionalization strategy of nanocarbons to allow both biocompatibility and receptor targeted drug delivery. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating improves aqueous dispersibility and biocompatibility of GO, and provides anchoring sites for ACDCRGDCFCG peptide (RGD4C). Aromatic photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) can be effectively loaded into the rGO-PVP-RGD system via hydrophobic interactions and π–π stacking. The nanodelivery system can significantly increase the accumulation of Ce6 in tumor cells and lead to an improved photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy as compared to Ce6 alone. The facile surface functionalization strategy can be applied to other nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, and inorganic nanomaterials.