Graphene quantum dots enhanced with gold nanoparticles for advanced antibacterial applications
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2025
Authors
Milenković, Mila
Jovanović, Svetlana
Marković, Zoran
Ciasca, Gabriele
Di Santo, Riccardo
Mead, James L.
Mojsin, Marija
Dojčinović, Biljana
Milivojević, Dušan
Todorović Marković, Biljana
Article (Published version)

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In the era of antibiotic resistance, exploring novel nanomaterials offers a promising avenue for combating infections. This study investigates the antibacterial effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) combined with gold nanoparticles, synthesized in situ via gamma irradiation of GQDs with chloroauric acid and isopropyl alcohol at doses of 1, 5, 10, and 20 kGy. The composites were analyzed using several characterization methods, including photoluminescence and infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of gold in all samples, with the highest concentration of 11.14 μg/mL. Hemolytic assays confirmed excellent biocompatibility with hemolysis below 2 %, while MTT assays revealed that cell viability exceeded 80 % for most samples, confirming their non-toxic nature. The findings showed that thes...e materials have antibacterial activity against the MRSA strain. These results demonstrate that gold nanoparticles significantly contribute to the antibacterial properties of GQDs, indicating their potential for biomedical applications.
Keywords:
Graphene quantum dots / Gold nanoparticles / Reactive oxygen species / Antibacterial activity / Hemolysis / MTT assaySource:
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2025, 111, 107207-Funding / projects:
- PHOTOGUN4MICROBES - Are photoactive nanoparticles salvation for global infectional treath? (RS-ScienceFundRS-Ideje-7741955)
- Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, institutional funding - 200017 (University of Belgrade, Institute of Nuclear Sciences 'Vinča', Belgrade-Vinča) (RS-MESTD-inst-2020-200017)
- Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, institutional funding - 200042 (University of Belgrade, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering) (RS-MESTD-inst-2020-200042)
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VinčaTY - JOUR AU - Milenković, Mila AU - Jovanović, Svetlana AU - Marković, Zoran AU - Ciasca, Gabriele AU - Di Santo, Riccardo AU - Mead, James L. AU - Mojsin, Marija AU - Dojčinović, Biljana AU - Milivojević, Dušan AU - Todorović Marković, Biljana PY - 2025 UR - https://vinar.vin.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/15035 AB - In the era of antibiotic resistance, exploring novel nanomaterials offers a promising avenue for combating infections. This study investigates the antibacterial effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) combined with gold nanoparticles, synthesized in situ via gamma irradiation of GQDs with chloroauric acid and isopropyl alcohol at doses of 1, 5, 10, and 20 kGy. The composites were analyzed using several characterization methods, including photoluminescence and infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of gold in all samples, with the highest concentration of 11.14 μg/mL. Hemolytic assays confirmed excellent biocompatibility with hemolysis below 2 %, while MTT assays revealed that cell viability exceeded 80 % for most samples, confirming their non-toxic nature. The findings showed that these materials have antibacterial activity against the MRSA strain. These results demonstrate that gold nanoparticles significantly contribute to the antibacterial properties of GQDs, indicating their potential for biomedical applications. T2 - Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology T1 - Graphene quantum dots enhanced with gold nanoparticles for advanced antibacterial applications VL - 111 SP - 107207 DO - 10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107207 ER -
@article{
author = "Milenković, Mila and Jovanović, Svetlana and Marković, Zoran and Ciasca, Gabriele and Di Santo, Riccardo and Mead, James L. and Mojsin, Marija and Dojčinović, Biljana and Milivojević, Dušan and Todorović Marković, Biljana",
year = "2025",
abstract = "In the era of antibiotic resistance, exploring novel nanomaterials offers a promising avenue for combating infections. This study investigates the antibacterial effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) combined with gold nanoparticles, synthesized in situ via gamma irradiation of GQDs with chloroauric acid and isopropyl alcohol at doses of 1, 5, 10, and 20 kGy. The composites were analyzed using several characterization methods, including photoluminescence and infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of gold in all samples, with the highest concentration of 11.14 μg/mL. Hemolytic assays confirmed excellent biocompatibility with hemolysis below 2 %, while MTT assays revealed that cell viability exceeded 80 % for most samples, confirming their non-toxic nature. The findings showed that these materials have antibacterial activity against the MRSA strain. These results demonstrate that gold nanoparticles significantly contribute to the antibacterial properties of GQDs, indicating their potential for biomedical applications.",
journal = "Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology",
title = "Graphene quantum dots enhanced with gold nanoparticles for advanced antibacterial applications",
volume = "111",
pages = "107207",
doi = "10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107207"
}
Milenković, M., Jovanović, S., Marković, Z., Ciasca, G., Di Santo, R., Mead, J. L., Mojsin, M., Dojčinović, B., Milivojević, D.,& Todorović Marković, B.. (2025). Graphene quantum dots enhanced with gold nanoparticles for advanced antibacterial applications. in Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 111, 107207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107207
Milenković M, Jovanović S, Marković Z, Ciasca G, Di Santo R, Mead JL, Mojsin M, Dojčinović B, Milivojević D, Todorović Marković B. Graphene quantum dots enhanced with gold nanoparticles for advanced antibacterial applications. in Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2025;111:107207. doi:10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107207 .
Milenković, Mila, Jovanović, Svetlana, Marković, Zoran, Ciasca, Gabriele, Di Santo, Riccardo, Mead, James L., Mojsin, Marija, Dojčinović, Biljana, Milivojević, Dušan, Todorović Marković, Biljana, "Graphene quantum dots enhanced with gold nanoparticles for advanced antibacterial applications" in Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 111 (2025):107207, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107207 . .
