Graphene-Functionalized Titanium Carbide Synthesis and Characterization and Its Cytotoxic Effect on Cancer Cell Lines

Background Graphene is a versatile material with promising applications in various fields such as electronics, energy, biomedicine, and the environment due to its exceptional mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, transparency, and chemical stability. Graphene has been extensively used in biological and medical settings. MXene is a two-dimensional (2D) material that exhibits a strong affinity for water and electrical conductivity because of its surface terminations (oxygen {-O}, fluorine {-F}, and hydroxyl {-OH}) and transition metal carbide or nitride. MXene has attracted significant attention recently for its wide range of applications and unique properties. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of graphene-functionalized MXene. Furthermore, we investigated its cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. The characterization of graphene-functionalized MXene is carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) assays. Materials and methods Graphene powder was finely ground in isopropyl alcohol and then sonicated for two hours to produce solution A. MXene was synthesized by reacting titanium aluminum carbide (Ti AlC ) with hydrofluoric acid (HF). A mixture of Ti AlC and HF was heated to 40°C with continuous stirring for 24 hours to form solution B. Subsequently, solutions A and B were combined and stirred for 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was transferred to a hydrothermal reactor and maintained at 180°C for 12 hours. After the completion of the reaction, the resulting material was cooled to room temperature and purified through washing with distilled water, ethanol, and acetone. The sample was then dried at 80°C for 12 hours. Results The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirms the formation of graphene-functionalized titanium carbide (Ti C ). The sharp peaks indicate a highly crystalline nature. Graphene is a sheet-like structure with numerous gaps. Particles exhibit a multitude of voids and pores on their surfaces. Upon incorporation, graphene displays a small sheet-like structure. Graphene-functionalized titanium carbide confirms the presence of distinct layered or sheet-like structures stacked together. Following the addition of the material, some cancer cells are eradicated, and they exhibit increased biocompatibility, demonstrating anticancer activity. Conclusion Graphene-functionalized titanium carbide has been successfully synthesized