Recent Developments of Phototherapy Based on Graphene Family Nanomaterials

Abstract

Graphene-based nanomaterials have drawn abundant interest in various fields such as biomedicine in recent years. Thanks to the ultra-high surface area of single-layered graphene, higher molecular loading is obtained. In addition, easy modifications were acquired because of its ample oxygen-content functional groups. Owing to its excellent physical- chemical properties, graphene-based nanomaterials have been widely explored as novel nanovectors for disease theranostics. In this article, we gave a comprehensive review of graphenebased nanomaterials, including introduction about different members of graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs), various modifications, toxicity and biomedical applications of graphene- based derivatives. More attentions were given to phototherapy in this paper. The mechanisms of photothermal and photodynamic therapy were also offered. Finally, the prospects and challenges of the graphene-based nanomaterials were discussed in this review.

Keywords: GFNs; biomedical applications; modifications; multifunctional nanoformulations; phototherapy; toxicity.