Environmentally friendly and cost-effective generation of Graphene-based silver nanohybrids (rGO/AgNPs) for DNA binding applications

Abstract

Because of their potential in drug delivery, imaging, biosensing, and diverse structural features, graphene-based nanomaterials have emerged as a prominent area of nanotechnology study, especially for biomedical applications. For producing these nanomaterials, the green reduction approach is the most promising as it is a cost-effective and environment-friendly approach that uses natural extracts and reduces toxic gas production compared to traditional methods. For this study, we have used the same green reduction method using Cinnamaldehyde and Eugenol to create reduced graphene oxide/ silver nanoparticles nanohybrids. The synthesized nanohybrids were characterized by using UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Zeta-potential analysis, atomic force microscopy which confirmed the formation and stability of the well dispersed AgNPs on rGO surface. The double-stranded and single-stranded binding activity of these nanohybrids was evaluated using spectroscopy analysis which showed a shift in the absorption wavelength indicating strong interaction with DNA. Additionally, physiochemical testing assessed the stability and life span, supporting these nanohybrids’ potential for long-term biomedical applications. These findings highlight the suitability of these nanohybrids for sustainable biomedical applications, particularly for DNA binding. With further implications, these can be utilized in emerging drug delivery, biosensing, and diagnostic sectors.