Materials Science and Engineering B, 2008, 152(1-3), 8-11

Aryl-derivatized, water soluble functionalized carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications

Karousis, N., Ali-Boucetta, H., Kostarelos, K. and Tagmatarchis, N.

The functionalization of very-thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes (VT-MWNTs) with an aniline derivative, via the protocol of in situ generated aryl diazonium salts results, upon acidic deprotection of the terminal BOC group, on the formation of the water-soluble positively charged ammonium functionalized VT-MWNTs-NH3 + material. The new materials have been structurally and morphologically characterized by infra-red (ATR-IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The quantitative calculation of the grafted aryl units onto the skeleton of VT-MWNTs has been estimated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while the quantitative Kaiser test showed the amine group loaded onto VT-MWNTs-NH3 +material. The aqueous solubility of this material has allowed the performance of some initial toxicological in vitro investigations.