Carbon nanomaterials: Types, synthesis strategies and their application as drug delivery system for cancer therapy

Abstract

Inorganic and organic nanoparticles are used for abundant number of applications due to their novelty, surface charge, alloys, and oxides. Among the different types of nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials (CNM) are gaining constant attention for biomedical applications. Their unique physical and chemical characteristics, like electrical, thermal, structural, and optical diversity, make them suitable materials. Selecting CNM for the treatment and diagnosis of disease and infection will provide controlled, predictable, low cytotoxic, and target-specific delivery of drugs for biomedical applications. Different types of CNM, like graphene oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), need to be investigated for application in Cancer treatment. Therefore, this review focuses on the different types of synthesis, drug loading, surface coating, and application of CNM as a drug delivery agent for cancer diagnosis and treatment.