Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively investigated in many fields of science since their discovery. Short, functionalised, multi-walled tubes filled with magnetic particles are suspect harmless to human beings and have been seen to be able to penetrate cellular membranes without inducing apoptosis. Multi-walled CNTs containing different amounts of iron filling were synthesised. Afterwards, various functionalisation protocols were explored and compared in order to identify the most effective for producing a highly soluble and biocompatible material. The functionalised structures were separated by length.

The properties of sorted nanohybrid structures were characterised by several techniques; scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, NMR and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. For cytotoxicity analysis of carbon nanotubes MTT, WST-1 and Neutral Red Uptake assays were performed. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by determining the viability of HeLa and human fibroblast cells after incubation in media containing MWCNTs with different Fe concentrations.

Significant correlations and enhancements in MRI contrast were found when testing the particles with different lengths, iron content and dispersion type. Our data indicated that those nanoparticles have very low or no cytotoxicit. We believe that these findings are highly promising and further research might lead to tissue-selective or externally guided, “intelligent”, MRI contrast and drug delivery agents.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/31308 must be provided.

1. SPIO doxorubicne nanocomplex as MRI contrast agent
2. Cell-penetrating peptides as nanocarriers for drug, gene and contrast agents delivery into human cells.
3. Multifunctional coatings of niobium carbide (NbC) for industrial applications
4. Synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotube-polymer nanohybrids and their internalization to biological systems
5. TiO₂-based nanoparticles as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy
6. Cytotoxicity assessment of herringbone carbon nanostructures dispersed in two different surfactants
7. Nanomaterials for drug delivery and imaging