Gold Nanoparticles Enriched Graphene System for Therapeutics: A Novel Combination of Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Graphene derivatives, which have a wide range of intriguing features and a distinct nanostructure, are interesting as a potential platform in the biomedical field. Herein, the current study elucidates the effectual adornment of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) over the graphene substrate through simple electrostatic interaction, as a promising nanohybrid with multifunctional attributes. The morphological and spectroscopic analysis inculcate the effective inclusion of AuNPs over the GO surface in the as-fabricated Au-GO nanoparticle system. The luminescence spectrum of the nanohybrid was dramatically augmented after anchoring AuNPs over the graphene nanosheet surface, owing to the interaction between luminous GO and plasmonic AuNPs. The decorated AuNPs boost the Raman signals of the GO system, resulting in surface-enhanced Raman scattering behavior. Additionally, the obtained hemocompatibility substantiates the bioactive nature of the hybrid system. The ab-initio calculations were performed to analyze the interaction of metallic AuNPs with the graphene system. Thus, the current study validates the multi-functional attributes of the nanohybrid system both experimentally as well as theoretically.