Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical nanostructures composed of rolled sheets of single-layer carbon atoms (graphene), exhibiting exceptional mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical properties that have propelled their extensive exploration in many biomedical fields. Thanks to their unique physicochemical characteristics, CNTs are increasingly utilized as multifunctional platforms for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research applications, offering promising solutions in tackling biomedical challenges.
Key Properties and Functionalization
- CNTs possess remarkable tensile strength, high surface area, and excellent electrical conductivity.
- Surface functionalization—through covalent or non-covalent modifications—enhances solubility, biocompatibility, and targeted binding capabilities, critical for biological system integration and safety.
- Functionalization also plays a vital role in reducing CNT toxicity, enabling safer biomedical use while tailoring surface chemistry for specific molecular interactions.
Biomedical Applications
- Drug Delivery and Therapeutics:
- CNTs serve as nanocarriers for diverse drug molecules, genes, and therapeutic agents, protecting cargo from degradation and enabling targeted release at cellular or tissue levels.
- They facilitate crossing biological barriers such as cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier, broadening therapeutic reach.
- Biosensing and Diagnostics:
- CNT-based biosensors exploit their electrical and optical properties for ultrasensitive detection of biomolecules, pathogens, and disease biomarkers.
- Their intrinsic photoluminescence and Raman scattering enable advanced imaging modalities suitable for in vitro and in vivo visualization.
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine:
- CNTs provide scaffolding materials supporting cell attachment, growth, and differentiation due to their mechanical robustness and ability to mimic extracellular matrices.
- Cancer Therapy:
- CNTs are explored for drug delivery and photothermal therapy, where their strong near-infrared absorption heats and ablates tumor tissues selectively.
