Ricerc@Sapienza

Nanocomposite materials containing DNA-functionalized graphene are characterized by multifunctional properties that make them potentially useful for applications in biomedical devices, such as cell-instructive devices, or in radiation monitoring systems. In this work, DNA-graphene fillers were embedded in a silicone-based polymer matrix made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or its mixtures with hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH).

Graphene-based nanocomposites with multifunctional properties are used as sensing materials in various environments. The integration of the graphene sensing elements into the polymer matrix is not a trivial task, as the overall sensing properties of the material are highly affected by the amount and homogeneity of the filler dispersion. Here we investigate the fabrication process of functional nanocomposite films based on graphene-DNA hybrid complexes embedded in a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix.