Surface Chemical Modifications of Graphene Oxide and Interaction Mechanisms at the Nano-Bio Interface

Abstract

Due to the unique physicochemical properties, graphene oxide has been widely applied in material chemistry, biomedical science and life science. However, here is still a great challenge to maximize the advantages of graphene oxide and overcome the deleterious effects caused by its inherent properties. For a better understanding of current status in this research field, recent progress in surface chemical modifications of graphene oxide and interaction mechanisms at the nano-bio interface has been comprehensively reviewed. First, the physicochemical properties of graphene oxide and the representative strategies of surface chemical modifications will be briefly introduced, including oxidation and reduction, carboxylation, amination, small organic molecule modification, polymer modification, peptide/protein modification, nucleic acid modification and nanoparticle modification, as well as their potential roles in mediating the graphene oxide-resulted biological effects. Following, we will present the primary interaction mechanisms of pristine and surface-modified graphene oxide at the nano-bio interface, including the formation of protein corona, cell membrane damage, membrane receptor interaction and oxidative stress. Finally, the knowledge gaps and future challenges in this research field will be detailedly discussed.