One-Step Enzymatic Surface Modification of Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) is a material that possesses extremely particular chemical and physical properties. Graphene-based nanomaterials have spurred the advancement of flexible nanocomposites for innovative applications that demand exceptional mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical and chemical properties. These structures have the potential to be applied in various domains due to their multifunctionality. Nevertheless, GO employed have a tendency to create robust aggregate when mixed with organic components. Hence, it is necessary to alter the surfaces of polymer matrices and GO to enhance dispersion stability and compatibility. Chemical functionalization of GO allows for extensive structural change, offering a wide range of alternatives. However, chemical modifcation can lead to the utilization of ecologically harmful chemicals and substantial expenditures of energy, time and costs. Biocompatible, non-cytotoxic, target-selective biotechnological methods are being investigated for surface modification of nanoparticles to address these concerns. This work explored a new approach to modify the GO surface utilizing natural biocatalysts, specifically enzymes. The method used a one-step process where the lipase enzyme was used to modify the GO surface with the methacrylic acid. This method is conducive to mild reaction conditions, free from the generation of chemical waste, and devoid of solvent utilization, addressing the concerns associated with chemical modification methods.