Anomalously augmented charge transport capabilities of biomimetically transformed collagen intercalated nano graphene based biocolloids

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that collagen-graphene bio nanocolloids exhibit significantly enhanced charge transport properties due to physico-chemical interactions, with potential applications in bioelectrophoresis and drug delivery.

Contribution

It introduces a novel collagen-graphene complex bio colloid with tunable electrical properties, supported by experimental, theoretical, and mathematical analysis.

Findings

Enhanced charge transport in collagen-graphene bio colloids

Concentration-dependent electrical conductivity

Theoretical model accurately predicts transport enhancement

Abstract

Collagen micro fibrils bio mimetically intercalate graphitic structures in aqueous media to form graphene nano platelets collagen complex (G Cl). Synthesized G Cl based stable, aqueous bio nanocolloids exhibit anomalously augmented charge transportation capabilities over simple collagen or graphene based colloids. The concentration tunable electrical transport properties of synthesized aqueous G Cl bio nanocolloids has been experimentally observed, theoretically analyzed and mathematically modeled. A comprehensive approach to mathematically predict the electrical transport properties of simple graphene and collagen based colloids has been presented. A theoretical formulation to explain the augmented transport characteristics of the G Cl bio nanocolloids based on the physico chemical interactions among the two entities, as revealed from extensive characterizations of the G Cl bio complex, has also been proposed. Physical interactions between the zwitterionic amino acid molecules within the collagen triple helix with the polar water molecules and the delocalized {\pi} electrons of graphene and subsequent formation of partially charged entities has been found to be the crux mechanism behind the augmented transport phenomena. The analysis has been observed to accurately predict the degree of enhancement in transport of the concentration tunable composite colloids over the base colloids. The electrically active G Cl bio nanocolloids with concentration tunability promises find dual utility in novel gel bio electrophoresis based protein separation techniques and advanced surface charge modulated drug delivery using biocolloids.