A single-molecule graphene quantum dot: a novel efficient photosensitizer for photodynamic cancer therapy.

ABSTRACT: Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can efficiently generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light irradiation, demonstrating significant potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. However, GQDs are often multicomponent mixtures with highly complex structures, which significantly hinders their clinical applications. Therefore, it is urgent to design and synthesize well-defined GQDs with excellent PDT performance. In this work, a novel single-molecule hydrophilic pure graphene quantum dot (HPGQD), containing 132 sp² conjugated carbon atoms, was prepared through an organic synthetic route using single-benzene-ring molecules as precursors. The HPGQD features a unique D-12A structure, comprising one large electron donor center and 12 electron acceptors, which grants it exce

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12230758 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature