Graphene quantum dots: A new platform for fourth-generation photosensitizers

Fluorine-decorated graphene quantum dots (F@GQDs) will be herein explored as a material platform for application in photodynamic therapy (PDT). GQDs have been extensively studied in biomedical areas such as bioimaging, bio-sensing and photothermal therapy due to their superior optical and physiochemical properties. Application of GQDs in PDT has been explored lately, but currently the main challenges are inadequate singlet oxygen (¹O₂) quantum yield (QY), poor solubility, and biocompatibility. In this talk, the synthesis of a new class of fluorine containing GQDs (F@GQDs) will be described. The as-synthesized F@GQD sample demonstrates an average particle size below 3 nm with a fluorine doping content of around 2%. The synthesized F@GQDs show improved water solubility and biocompatibility, while emitting strong green fluorescence and QY slightly above 13%. Moreover, the photodynamic activity was successfully tested in bioassays (in vitro).