Non-covalent functionalisation of graphene nanomaterials for potential application in screening ‘drug-graphene’ interactions and tracking drug delivery

Graphene is a two-dimensional nanomaterial, which constitutes nanocarbon comprising layers of carbon atoms arranged in six-membered rings. Graphene possesses unique morphological, mechanical, electrical and chemical properties and has a tremendous potential for applications in biomedicine (1-2), ranging from possible use in biosensors, molecular diagnostics and prosthetics to implants and drug delivery.

A significant obstacle to realising the full potential of graphene lies in a difficulty in preparation of graphene monolayers due to the necessity to use highly toxic chemicals, which could be detrimental for biological systems (e.g. cells, tissues and organs). Consequently, there is a need to identify alternative exfoliating agents which are nontoxic and more efficient for exfoliation of graphene from graphite flakes. Non-covalent functionalisation of graphene nanoparticles with various small-molecule agents may allow efficient (and safe) exfoliation without altering its unique properties. In addition, the use of aromatic fluorescence agents for non-covalent functionalisation of graphene nanomaterials (3) could be a valuable improvement for its application in biomedical and pharmaceutical areas, such as molecular imaging, detection of drug-graphene interactions and drug delivery (1-2). The amphiphilic nature of some polycyclic aromatic dyes enables solubilisation of graphene into water (3) without the use of harmful organic solvents.

The aim of the project is to generate a range of new nanomaterials through non-covalent functionalisation of graphene nanoparticles for potential application in screening ‘drug-graphene’ interactions and tracking drug delivery. This will be achieved by identifying the principal mechanisms and structural rules underpinning the interactions of some key organic molecules with graphene monolayer and graphite surface. To achieve this, we shall use a combination of analytical chemistry, biophysics, NMR spectroscopy and computational chemistry in order to investigate and characterise the structure, stability and dynamics of the generated functionalised graphene nanoparticles (3-5).

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics or relevant physical sciences subject with previous experience in chemistry, analytical and spectroscopic techniques. They must also be capable of working at the interface between chemistry, biology and nanotechnology. Some experience in computational chemistry would be highly beneficial. A Masters qualification in a similar area would be a significant advantage.