Synthesis of Biocompatible Gelatin-functionalised Graphene Nanosheets For Drug Delivery Applications

Gelatin-functionalised graphene nanosheets (gelatin-GNS) with good biocompatibility were successfully synthesised using gelatin as a reductant. Factors that affect the reduction of graphene oxide (GO), such as the ratio of gelatin to GO, pH, and temperature, were investigated to establish optimum reaction conditions. We found that GO was efficiently reduced by gelatin at a comparatively low temperature and a stable gelatin-GNS aqueous dispersion was formed. The as-obtained biocompatible gelatin-GNS displayed a high methotrexate (MTX) drug loading capacity and a good ability for controlled drug release. The pH-dependent release behaviour of MTX from MTX@gelatin-GNS showed that the release amount under acid conditions was much higher than that under neutral conditions, indicating a gelatin-mediated sustained release process.