One-pot synthesis of FePt/CNTs nanocomposites for efficient cellular imaging and cancer therapy

Abstract

Here, we developed a facile route to synthesize carbon nanotube-based FePt nanocomposites (FePt/CNTs) as a potential theranostic platform in the cancer treatment. FePt/CNTs were firstly synthesized via one-pot polyol route, and then functionalized with 6-arm-polyethylene glycol-amine polymer. The average size of FePt nanoparticles (NPs) is 3–4 nm, which is dispersed on the CNT surface (ca.50–150 nm). The as-prepared FePt NPs display high cytotoxicity by highly reactive oxygen species in cancer cells. Folic acid and fluorescein isothiocyanate are assembled onto the surface of FePt/CNTs for effective targeting of folate receptor-positive cancer cells and simultaneously for the visualization of cellular uptake. Therefore, the FePt/CNTs NPs capability of simultaneously performing diagnosis, therapy, and targeting is, therefore, promising for future potential widespread application in biomedicine.