Microtubule-inspired functionalization of carbon nanotubes: a biomimetic carrier design

Karina De Almeida Barcelos,Laleh Alisaraie

doi:10.1039/d1me00190f

Abstract

A strategy is proposed for the non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes based on biomimicry of the cytoskeletal protein, microtubule.

Highlights

There have been emerging interests in exploring carbon nanotubes (CNTs) physicochemical, mechanical, thermal, structural, and optical properties[1] for their applications in multiple fields, including nanomedicine,[2] drug, and genePaper interactions and the associated adverse effects in cancer patients.[15,16] a significant obstacle for CNTs' bioapplicability is their low aqueous solubility.Some chemical functionalization methods have been developed to address the problem,[17] including covalently attaching hydrophilic groups, usually carboxylic acid or amide chemical functional groups, via oxidation routes or using any existing defects in the CNT structure, or introducing artificial holes for chemical substitutions.[18]
Amphiphilic peptides consisting of amino acids with various degrees of side-chain hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity are suitable molecules that due to their dual binding properties could bind to CNTs and water molecules
The tubulin lateral-associated peptides include amino acids with hydrophobic moieties that interact with the hydrophobic CNT surface through van der Waals (vdW) forces

Summary

Introduction

There have been emerging interests in exploring carbon nanotubes (CNTs) physicochemical, mechanical, thermal, structural, and optical properties[1] for their applications in multiple fields, including nanomedicine,[2] drug, and gene. Paper interactions and the associated adverse effects in cancer patients.[15,16] a significant obstacle for CNTs' bioapplicability is their low aqueous solubility. Physical surfaceadsorption has gained researchers' interest for maintaining the sp[2] hybridization in the chemical skeleton of carbonbased nanomaterials such as CNT,[22,23] graphene,[22,24] and fullerene.[22,25] Amphiphilic peptides consisting of amino acids with various degrees of side-chain hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity are suitable molecules that due to their dual binding properties could bind to CNTs and water molecules

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion