Synthesized partially unzipped carbon nanotubes and potential DNA/CNTs interactions

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are structurally considered to be graphene nano-ribbons (GNRs) that rolled up into seamless tubes. While CNTs nanotechnology is advancing, synthesis of GNRs from CNTs is sought after for precise and integrative graphene applications. Acid treatment of CNTs can generate longitudinal unzipping in an effective, large scale and economic approach. However, further understanding of CNTs-to-GNRs degradation, which mimics biodegradation molecular processes by oxidants, can also aid to assess toxicological impact of biodegraded CNTs. In this study, unzipping of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was established using a strong oxidizing agent. The influence of oxidation on the morphological, crystalline quality and dielectric properties was investigated. In particular, partial unzipping of CNTs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Broad band dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) was utilized to depict the influence of the applied frequency on the dielectric properties. GNRs exhibited a lag in the drop of capacitance and impedance to higher values of frequency with respect to the starting MWCNTs. Furthermore, DNA interactions with partially unzipped carbon nanotubes, were computationally assessed by employing molecular docking. The obtained potential DNA-CNT molecular conformations were illustrated and their biomolecular implications were discussed.