▎ 摘　　要

Tryptophan-conjugated graphene quantum dots (Trp-GQDs) were fabricated for the first time and loaded with curcumin (Cur) as a hydrophobic anticancer agent, to evaluate Cur loading capacity and release kinetics, as well as its cytotoxicity effect on human breast cancer cells. The GQDs were synthesized through a facile oxidation method, Trp was conjugated onto GQDs via amide bonds and Cur was loaded onto GQDs and Trp-GQDs by noncovalent interactions. TEM, FESEM, PL, UV-Vis, and FTIR analysis were used to study the nano-assemblies structural and spectral characterizations. The drug loading capacity increased by increasing the initial concentration of Cur, and by 23% after the conjugation of GQDs with Trp. A pH-sensitive release was also detected at pH 5.5 and 7.4. Moreover, the experimental release data of Cur from the two nano-assemblies at both pHs had the best compliance with the pseudo-second-order model. In-vitro cellular cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells demonstrated the nontoxicity of the bare GQDs and Trp-GQDs nanocarriers. Considering the biocompatibility, traceability, high drug loading capacity, and pH-sensitivity of Trp-GQDs nanocarrier, it can be concluded that Cur/Trp-GQDs can be regarded as a promising candidate for drug delivery applications.