Absence Of Carbon Nanotubes Research Articles

Analysis of the Distribution of Relaxation Times (DRT) Responses of Li-Ion Cells as a Function of Their Preparation Conditions

The distribution of relaxation times (DRT) approach was used to analyze the electrochemical impedance spectra obtained for lithium-ion cells as a function of their state of charge as well as the cell preparation conditions. The cells were made using LiFePO4 cathodes with PEDOT:PSS binder and Li anodes. The following parameters were varied: the load of the active mass with LiFePO4, the presence or absence of carbon nanotubes, the presence or absence of the carbon coating of the current collector, die-pressing of the active mass, as well as artificial degradation of the binder using thermal treatment. The results support the view adopted in the literature that the DRT response of Li-ion cells involves 4 main regions attributed to (i) contact resistance between the particles of the active mass or the particles and the current collector; (ii) ionic resistance of the active layer including that of SEI on the surface of the electrodes; (iii) faradaic resistance of the electrochemical charge transfer at the surface of the active material, and (iv) solid-state diffusion/transport of Li+ ions in the particles of active material. Moreover, we identified yet another contribution to the DRT spectra related to the ionic conductivity of the binder and electrolyte in the active mass of the cathode.

Nonlinear flutter response and reliability of supersonic smart hybrid nanocomposite rupture trapezoidal plates subjected to yawed flow using DQHFEM

In the realm of aerospace engineering, the analysis of flutter under supersonic flight conditions is of paramount importance. Hybrid nanocomposite materials, known for their lightweight and high-strength properties, are increasingly being employed in aerospace engineering. This article examines the supersonic flutter behavior and reliability of smart hybrid nanocomposite trapezoidal plates, considering various practical factors. The structure is subjected to yawed flow conditions, a scenario often encountered during supersonic flight. The importance of the hybrid nanocomposite in various applications such as aerospace, public security tools, and so on, therefore the hybrid nanocomposite core layer reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon fibers incorporates real-world material complexities such as agglomeration, waviness, and random orientation of fibers into the analysis. The complexities and the accurate characterization of the hybrid nanocomposite properties are determined by using the Halpin-Tsai model. Going beyond the current field of application, the core layer is integrated with actuators and sensors, respectively at the top and bottom layers. The structure is controlled by a Proportional-Derivative (PD) controller, simulating real-world control mechanisms used in aerospace systems for flight safety. The structure is modeled by the nonlinear Refined Zigzag Plate (RZP) theory. The advanced numerical technique of the Differential Quadrature Hierarchical Finite Element Method (DQHFEM) for the solution of the motion equations provides a robust framework for studying the intricate flutter and aerodynamic behavior of the smart hybrid nanocomposite trapezoidal plates. The examination of the reliability of the structure employs the three-term conjugate finite-step length (TCFS) method. This technique is constructed through the utilization of the conjugate gradient method, incorporating a controlled scalar parameter to ensure numerical stability. The results of this article have been validated against existing experimental and numerical studies, demonstrating the validity of the presented model and the numerical technique used. The effects of various parameters, such as the smart controller, applied output voltage to the actuator layer, volume percentage of CNTs, agglomeration, and waviness of carbon fibers, geometric parameters, the skew angle of the plate, rupture, and yawed angle flow are examined on the flutter behavior, critical aerodynamic pressure, nonlinear frequency, and reliability index. The results indicate that the controlled system exhibits an approximately 18% increase in the flutter critical aerodynamic pressure compared to the uncontrolled system, along with a significant 50% rise in flutter frequency. Additionally, the structure with rupture displays approximately 20% lower flutter aerodynamic pressure and a 25% lower flutter frequency compared to a healthy plate. In the absence of carbon nanotubes and under positive external voltage, a damage parameter exceeding 0.35 leads to a reliability index below 0.931, indicating a risk of structural failure. Two solutions involve switching to negative voltage or increasing the volumetric percentage of carbon nanotubes, resulting in a 43% or 118% increase in reliability, respectively.

Multifunctional Properties of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS)-Based Epoxy Nanocomposites.

In this study, a tetrafunctional epoxy resin was loaded with 5 wt% of three different types of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) compounds, namely, DodecaPhenyl POSS (DPHPOSS), Epoxycyclohexyl POSS (ECPOSS), Glycidyl POSS (GPOSS), and 0.5 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in order to formulate multifunctional structural nanocomposites tailored for aeronautic and aerospace applications. This work aims to demonstrate how the skillful combination of desired properties, such as good electrical, flame-retardant, mechanical, and thermal properties, is obtainable thanks to the advantages connected with nanoscale incorporations of nanosized CNTs with POSS. The special hydrogen bonding-based intermolecular interactions between the nanofillers have proved to be strategic in imparting multifunctionality to the nanohybrids. All multifunctional formulations are characterized by a Tg centered at values close to 260 °C, fully satisfying structural requirements. Infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis confirm the presence of a cross-linked structure characterized by a high curing degree of up to 94% and high thermal stability. Tunneling atomic force microscopy (TUNA) allows to detect the map of the electrical pathways at the nanoscale of the multifunctional samples, highlighting a good dispersion of the carbon nanotubes within the epoxy resin. The combined action of POSS with CNTs has allowed to obtain the highest values of self-healing efficiency if compared to those measured for samples containing only POSS in the absence of CNTs.

Preparation of CuO@humic acid@carbon nanotube composite material using humic acid as a coupling agent and its lithium-ion storage performance.

The conventional Li-ion battery composite electrode material composed of CuO and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) suffer from poor contact between CuO and CNTs. This results in high electrode resistance and poor electrochemical performance. To solve this problem, CuO@humic acid (HA) @CNT anode material with cross-linked network structure was generated by linking CuO and CNT with HA as a coupling agent. For comparison, CuO@HA or CuO@CNT were also prepared in the absence of CNT or HA, respectively. The results showed that CuO@HA@CNT had lower charge transfer resistance, higher conductivity, lithium-ion diffusion coefficient, specific capacity, and rate capability than CuO@HA and CuO@CNT. The specific capacity of the CuO@HA@CNT electrode was significantly better than that of the composite electrode materials of CuO and CNT, which have been prepared by scientists using various methods. Due to the introduction of HA, not only was the uniformly distributed flower-like CuO obtained, but also the specific capacity and rate capability of the electrode material were substantially improved. This study thus provides a good strategy to optimize the capability of transition metal oxide lithium-ion anode materials.

Effect of reinforcement of carbon nanotubes on air plasma sprayed conventional Al2O3-3%TiO2 ceramic coatings

Abstract The characterization of carbon nanotubes (CNT) doped plasma sprayed ceramic coatings were carried out by varying the percentage of CNT as 2 wt%, 4 wt%, and 6 wt%. The coatings were deposited using conventional Alumina-3 wt% Titania powders mixed with CNT using Air Plasma Spraying (APS) process. The adhesion strength of this ceramic coating is increased due to the addition of CNTs. This phenomenon is due to CNT bonding across the powder splats on the coatings which results in the refinement of coating features. On the other hand distinct factors impacting adhesion of coatings were found to be absence of CNT in bond coat and uneven distribution of CNT in top coat. The surface roughness also plays a vital role in characterization of coatings. It was also found that the surface roughness of the coatings increased with increasing percentage of CNT due to the pores available in conventional powders were filled with carbon nanotubes. The overall effect of adding CNTs to the Alumina-Titania coating system improves both mechanical and microstructural properties.

Designing the interphase in carbon fiber polymer composites using carbon nanotubes

Experiments are conducted to quantitatively assess the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the interfacial properties in carbon fiber/epoxy composites by directly growing CNTs on the surface of carbon fiber (CF). Wetting behavior of single carbon fiber filaments with epoxy matrix before and after CNT grafting is investigated through contact angle measurements. An improvement in wettability is observed after the incorporation of CNTs on the fiber surface. Effect of wettability on the size and properties of interphase is studied through well designed micro-mechanical tests on single fiber composites processed with unsized and CNT grafted carbon fibers. While nanoindentation testing is performed for quantitative determination of interphase size and stiffness, single fiber micro-debond tests are used to evaluate the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) in unsized carbon fiber/epoxy and CNT grafted carbon fiber/epoxy composites. Consistent with the wettability analysis, CNT grafting enhances the size, stiffness and IFSS of CF/epoxy composites. In addition, it is shown that even though larger CNT growth time on the surface of carbon fiber provides thicker interphase region but tends to degrade the stiffness of interphase and IFSS of CNT grafted carbon fiber/epoxy multiscale composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of pulled-out and debonded fibers reveal different interfacial failure mechanism in the presence and absence of CNTs on the surface of CF. The present study quantitatively shows the presence of an interphase region surrounding the carbon fiber after CNT grafting on their surface. The existence of interphase is important from the view point of structural integrity of composites as it eliminates the unwanted stress concentration at the fiber/polymer interface by gradual transformation of properties from highly stiff fiber to comparatively weaker matrix. Moreover, the present study provides us a tool to design the interphase in hybrid composites as per the requirement of a specific application.

Carbon nanotube-lipase hybrid nanoflowers with enhanced enzyme activity and enantioselectivity

Various nanoflowers are synthesized as supports for different methods of enzyme immobilization; however, the activities of these immobilized enzymes are limited because of their confinement in the nanoflowers. In order to increase the performance of nanoflowers, in this study, different protein-phosphate hybrid nanostructures were successfully synthesized and further enhanced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under the same conditions. Only Cu3(PO4)2 complex nanostructures exhibited flower-like structures and showed excellent results after enhancement with CNTs in this framework. An esterification reaction between lauric acid and 1-dodecanol was used to test enzyme activity during immobilization, revealing that the Cu3(PO4)2/CNT/protein complex exhibited 68-fold higher activity relative to free lipase and 51-fold higher than that of Cu3(PO4)2/Burkholderia cepacia lipase hybrid nanoflowers in the absence of CNTs. All three hybrid nanostructures showed good performance and exhibited excellent reusability in resolution reactions between 1-phenylethanol and vinyl acetate. Additionally, the substrate enantiomeric excess (ees) reached 98% in only 10 min, and the corresponding Cu3(PO4)2/CNT/protein complex could be recycled eight times without obvious loss of activity. This approach involving nanoflowers enhanced with CNTs will be highly beneficial for decreasing mass-transfer resistance and providing enhanced enzyme loading along with promising potential for industrial application.

Quantitative determination of size and properties of interphases in carbon nanotube-based multiscale composites

Experimental investigations are carried out to quantify the effect of filler composition, filler diameter and carbon nanotube (CNT) grafting on the properties of interphase in epoxy matrix composites. To this end, epoxy is reinforced with stainless steel (SS) wire, brass wire(s) and carbon fiber (CF) before and after CNT growth on their surface. Surface morphology, elemental composition and thickness of interphase in unsized (ar) and CNT grafted composites is studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The size and mechanical properties of the interphase are evaluated through nanoindentation and pull-out tests. It is observed that interphase properties depend on material and geometry of reinforcing filler. Moreover, CNT grafting on the filler surface improves the size and stiffness of interphase and increases the interfacial shear strength (IFSS). The relative improvement in interphase properties and IFSS due to grafting of CNTs on the surface of wires and carbon fiber found to be a function of interfacial chemistry between reinforcement and epoxy. SEM analysis of pulled out wires and fibers reveals that the interface fails differently in the presence and absence of CNTs on their surface. Moreover, increase in CNT growth time from 15 to 30 min inside chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor increases the interphase thickness but has an adverse effect on the IFSS in CF/epoxy composites. It is shown that the size and composition of reinforcement and grafting of CNTs on their surface are the variables which provide a handle to suitably design the interphase in multiscale composites.

Heat transfer analysis of CNT suspended nanofluid through annulus sector duct

In this paper, we have numerically analysed the effects of single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the base fluid water through the vertical annulus sector duct, under the influence of Buoyancy force. A discretized form of governing dimensionless momentum and energy equation obtain with the help of finite volume based method and uses strongly implicit procedure (SIP) to solve the algebraic system. It has been observed that volume fraction of carbon nanotubes has direct relationship with the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor. Furthermore, limiting case results obtained in this study, are comparable with the published data in the absence of carbon nanotubes and Buoyancy force.

Sorption Behaviour of Trichlorobenzenes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Absence or Presence of Carbon Nanotubes in the Aquatic Environment

This work investigates the sorption behaviour of six hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) from the trichlorobenzenes (TCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Danube sediment using batch and column experiments, either in the presence or absence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). For all HOCs investigated, nonlinear isotherms were obtained. Based on logKoc, it can be concluded that the Danube sediment has a higher sorption affinity for PAHs than TCBs. A positive correlation between HOC molecular hydrophobicity and sorption affinity was obtained, meaning that hydrophobic interactions play a significant role. There was a negative correlation between molecular hydrophobicity and the percentage of eluted HOCs, indicating that more hydrophobic molecules show less mobility in the sediment column. In the presence of CNTs in the sediment column, HOC concentrations in the column eluate decreased by factors of 2–3. Metal oxides and hydroxides on the surface of the sediment under the given experimental conditions had positively charged centres that caused the deposition of CNTs, leading to simultaneous sorption of organic compounds on both sediment organic matter (SOM) and CNTs. The increased retention of HOCs in the presence of CNTs on the sediment column reduces their mobility, which might also suggest that CNTs may be used for remediation of contaminated soils and sediments.

Physical principles of catalysis of the curing of epoxy polymers in the presence of carbon nanotubes

A structural interpretation of the catalytic action of carbon nanotubes on the curing of epoxy polymers is proposed. It is based on the fractal analysis ideas. It is shown that essentially the only factor determining the kinetics of the curing process is the microgel structure characterized by its fractal dimension. The most important conclusion from the obtained results is the fact that the reaction rate dependences on the structural parameters are described by the same correlation for the epoxy polymer curing reaction both in the presence and absence of carbon nanotubes. This means that the catalytic effect of carbon nanotubes consists in a change in the structure of microgels.

The study of self-aggregation behavior of the bilirubin molecules in the presence and absence of carbon nanotubes: Molecular dynamics simulation approach

In the present work, the bilirubin self-aggregation in the presence and absence of carbon nanotubes has been studied by molecular dynamics computer simulations. We focused on two distinct (5, 5) and (10, 10) single-walled carbon nanotubes. The effect of bilirubin's concentration and nanotubes' length and diameter on the aggregation and disaggregation of the bilirubin molecules was investigated. The radial distribution functions between bilirubin molecules and also bilirubin and carbon nanotube were calculated. The obtained results indicated that bilirubin molecules have a maximum interaction with each other at a distance of 0.4nm and the presence of carbon nanotube decreased their interactions' intensity. Moreover, it was observed that these molecules interacted with carbon nanotube at a distance of 0.4nm.

Synthesis of Fe nanoparticles on polyaniline covered carbon nanotubes for oxygen reduction reaction

Fe nanoparticles immobilized on polyaniline-covered carbon nanotube (CNT) surfaces (Fe NPs–PANI/CNT) are prepared by reducing FeCl3 in the mixing solution of aniline and CNT. Significantly, the structure of such composites can be effectively optimized by pretreating FeCl3 with sodium citrate (CA). In the absence of CNTs, we found these two routes have large differences in reduction behaviors and different PANI states with varied conductivities. Therefore, the self-assembly mechanism in the preparation is proposed and the controlled self-assembly manner in the pretreating route is disclosed. Under acid condition, both catalysts demonstrate high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity with four-electron pathway, and high electrochemical durability, revealing a promising application in the proton exchange membrane fuel cells. However, the high Tafel slopes relating to the surface red-ox couple and porous conductivity are still the main obstacles to improve their ORR dynamic, and more efforts on these aspects are needed to drive non-noble catalyst application in future.

Modification of Fatty Acids in Membranes of Bacteria: Implication for an Adaptive Mechanism to the Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes

We explored whether bacteria could respond adaptively to the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by investigating the influence of CNTs on the viability, composition of fatty acids, and cytoplasmic membrane fluidity of bacteria in aqueous medium for 24 h exposure. The CNTs included long single-walled carbon nanotubes (L-SWCNTs), short single-walled carbon nanotubes (S-SWCNTs), short carboxyl single-walled carbon nanotubes (S-SWCNT-COOH), and aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (A-MWCNTs). The bacteria included three common model bacteria, Staphyloccocus aureus (Gram-positive), Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive), and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), and one polybrominated diphenyl ether degrading strain, Ochrobactrum sp. (Gram-negative). Generally, L-SWCNTs were the most toxic to bacteria, whereas S-SWCNT-COOH showed the mildest bacterial toxicity. Ochrobactrum sp. was more susceptible to the toxic effect of CNTs than E. coli. Compared to the control in the absence of CNTs, the viability of Ochrobactrum sp. decreased from 71.6-81.4% to 41.8-70.2%, and E. coli from 93.7-104.0% to 67.7-91.0% when CNT concentration increased from 10 to 50 mg L(-1). The cytoplasmic membrane fluidity of bacteria increased with CNT concentration, and a significant negative correlation existed between the bacterial viabilities and membrane fluidity for E. coli and Ochrobactrum sp. (p < 0.05), indicating that the increase in membrane fluidity induced by CNTs was an important factor causing the inactivation of bacteria. In the presence of CNTs, E. coli and Ochrobactrum sp. showed elevation in the level of saturated fatty acids accompanied with reduction in unsaturated fatty acids, compensating for the fluidizing effect of CNTs. This demonstrated that bacteria could modify their composition of fatty acids to adapt to the toxicity of CNTs. In contrast, S. aureus and B. subtilis exposed to CNTs increased the proportion of branched-chain fatty acids and decreased the level of straight-chain fatty acids, which was also favorable to counteract the toxic effect of CNTs. This study suggests that the bacterial tolerances to CNTs are associated with both the adaptive modification of fatty acids in the membrane and the physicochemical properties of CNTs. This is the first report about the physiologically adaptive response of bacteria to CNTs, and may help to further understand the ecotoxicological effects of CNTs.

Dielectrophoretically patterned carbon nanotubes to sort microparticles

This article compares the operation of a dielectrophoretic (DEP) platform before and after pattering carbon nanotubes (CNTs) between its microelectrodes. The diverse performance of the DEP system is assessed by separating 1 and 5 μm polystyrene particles. In the absence of CNTs, both particles can only be trapped by operating the system at low medium conductivities, (<10(-3) S/m) and frequencies (<75 kHz). Alternatively, applying CNTs to the system, some CNTs coat the surface of particles and increase their overall conductivity and permittivity, whereas the rest of them are patterned between the microelectrodes and induce strong DEP forces at their free ends, which can effectively trap the coated particles. The first development extends the range of medium conductivities and frequencies at which the trapping of both particles is achievable, whereas the second development facilitates the selective deposition of particles along the surface of curved microelectrodes. Setting the medium conductivity to 2×10(-3) S/m and the frequency to 20 MHz, most of 5 μm particles are trapped at the entry region of the first microelectrode pair, whereas most of 1 μm particles are trapped at the tips, and this distinction facilitates their separation. The trapping of 1 μm particles can be improved by decreasing the frequency to 1.5 MHz. This study demonstrates how the integration of CNTs into microfluidic systems enables them to operate beyond their capabilities.

Characterization of viscoelastic properties of composite films involving polyaniline and carbon nanotubes

The deposition and properties under electrochemical potential control of composite films of polyaniline and single walled carbon nanotubes were studied using high frequency acoustic wave measurements at quartz crystal resonators. Acoustic admittance spectra were used to provide shear moduli for the growing films as functions of thickness and dopant anion (sulfate, nitrate or perchlorate). The electrochemical and viscoelastic data were compared with those obtained in a parallel set of experiments in the absence of carbon nanotubes. The presence of carbon nanotubes in the deposition solution enhances the rate of polyaniline deposition by a factor of 3–5, according to the dopant. In all media, the shear modulus components increased with film thickness and in any given medium both the storage and the loss moduli were greater in the presence of carbon nanotubes. Since SEM images do not reveal the presence of the carbon nanotubes directly, they are deduced to interact sufficiently strongly with the polymer as to become fully encapsulated. A mean field model is adapted to provide predictive capability at a simplistic level for composite film viscoelastic properties in terms of the mechanical properties of the constituents. When applied to the experimental data, it suggests that the level of carbon nanotube incorporation is modest, despite its significant effect on film deposition and properties.

Direct Electron Transfer of Glucose Oxidase and Carbon Nanotubes Entrapped with Biocompatible Organic Materials

Efficient electron transfer between redox enzymes and electrodes is essential for enzyme-based biosensors, biofuel cells, and bioelectronic devices. Generally glucose oxidase (GOx) requires mediators for electrical communication with electrodes because the redox center of GOx is deeply buried in the insulating protein shell. In the present work, direct electron transfer (DET) between GOx and electrodes was attempted. GOx and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were immobilized on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode by using biocompatible polymer, chitosan (CHI). Cyclic voltammograms revealed that the CHI/GOx/CNT-GC electrode showed a pair of well-defined redox peaks in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) saturated with argon. Under the same conditions, no redox peak was observed in the absence of CNTs. The formal redox potential was −450 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), which agreed well with that of FAD/FADH2, the redox center of GOx. This result clearly shows that the DET between the GOx and the electrode was achieved. The use of thin CNTs significantly improved the DET efficiency of the GOx. It was found that the GOx immobilized on the electrode retained catalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose.

Large-scale synthesis of n-type gallium nitride nanowires using NiI2-decorated carbon nanotubes as a reactant

This study demonstrates the first example of the use of NiI2-filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the synthesis of GaN nanowires (NWs). Large quantities of single crystal and n-type GaN NWs were synthesized after NiI2-decorated CNTs reacted with Ga2O3 in NH3. Comparatively few short GaN NWs (<1μm) were synthesized in the absence of CNTs, and GaN NWs were found to be synthesized with a reasonable yield using graphite as a reactant. Therefore, CNTs play no role as a template in the growth of NW, but this growth is assisted by NiI2 nanocrystals via a vapour–liquid–solid mechanism in which the presence of carbon materials facilitates the reduction of Ga2O3 to Ga2O and Ga, thus providing a constant Ga source during the growth of the NW. Furthermore, the use of NiI2-filled single wall carbon nanotubes results in a higher NW yield at a low growth temperature (600°C), indicating that NiI2-filled single wall CNTs can serve as an effective reactant for the synthesis of GaN NWs.

Effect of Microstructure on the Solid Particle Erosion Properties of Ni Plating

The effect of microstructure on erosion resistance of nickel plating was investigated in this study. Two electrode nickel plating processes, one with conventional nickel sulfamate electrolyte and the other with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed in the electrolyte, at various pulse frequencies were used to generate surface depositions of different microstructures. The samples were subjected to microstructural evaluations and mechanical property testing for microhardness and elastic modulus. Subsequently, erosion tests were conducted to evaluate the material’s erosion resistance under various plating conditions. It was found that both changes in pulse frequency and the addition of CNTs resulted in grain size refinement and surface morphology modification. Microhardness of the plating was observed to increase with the pulse frequency in the absence of CNTs. Erosion resistance increased with grain refinement initially due to the surface hardness increase but this effect subsided as the thickness of the deposition approached that of the plastic deformation layer caused by the erodent.

Carbon nanotube-mediated delivery of nucleic acids does not result in non-specificactivation of B lymphocytes

The efficient delivery of genes and proteins into primary mammalian cells and tissues hasrepresented a formidable challenge. Recent advances in the research of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) offer much promise for their use as delivery platforms into mammaliancells. Ideally, CNT-mediated applications should not result in cellular toxicity norperturb cellular homeostasis (e.g., result in non-specific activation of primary cells).It is therefore critical to evaluate the impact of CNT exposure on the cellularmetabolism, proliferation and survival of primary mammalian cells. We investigated thecompatibility of a recently developed CNT-mediated delivery method, termednanospearing, with primary ex vivo cultures of B lymphocytes. Several parameterswere evaluated to assess the impact of CNTs on naïve B lymphocytes, includingcell survival, activation, proliferation and intracellular signal transduction. Ourresults indicate that nanospearing does not result in the activation of naïve primaryB lymphocytes nor alter survival in ex vivo cultures. Herein, B cells exposedto CNTs were capable of responding to extrinsic pro-survival signals such asinterleukin-4 and signaling by the B-cell antigen receptor in a manner similar tothat of B cells cultured in the absence of CNTs. Our study demonstrates thebiocompatibility of the CNT-mediated nanospearing procedure with respect to primary Blymphocytes.