Polyacrylic Acid Functionalized Nanographene as a Nanocarrier for Loading and Controlled Release of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride

Graphene nanosheets (GNSs) were synthesized by direct current arc discharge and subsequently functionalized by highly hydrophilic polyacrylic acid (PAA). The loading and release of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) on PAA‐functionalized GNSs (PAA‐GNSs) were investigated. PAA‐GNSs were successfully prepared and verified by atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐vis) spectroscopes, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The PAA‐GNSs contained about 10 wt% PAA which significantly improved the solubility of GNSs in aqueous media. The efficient loading of DOX onto the PAA‐GNSs is as high as 2.404 ± 0.167 mg/mg at the DOX concentration of 0.36 mg/mL. Furthermore, the PPA‐GNSs showed strong pH‐dependent behavior and efficient slow release ability. Therefore, PAA‐GNSs are promising new materials for biological and medical applications.