Carbon Nanocomposites

Abstract

Successful deployment of carbon nanocomposites in many applications, such as sensing, energy storage, and catalysis, relies on the selection, synthesis, and tailoring of the surface properties. Carbon nanotubes, due to their large surface areas, unique surface properties, and needle-like shape, can deliver a lot of therapeutic agents, including DNA, siRNAs and proteins to the target disease sites. Carbon nanotubes can be readily excreted through the renal route by means of degradation through myeloperoxidase enzyme. Nanotubes are categorized as single-walled carbon nanotubes and multiple walled carbon nanotubes. Theirs advances have been made in the delivery of anticancer, anti-inflammatory drugs, bioactive molecules, and proteins. Drugs and biomolecules can be loaded in carbon nanotubes, which can then be utilized as targeted molecules. Recently, carbon nanocomposites have attracted a lot of attention in the field of cancer diagnosis and therapy, with their ability to deliver therapeutic molecules and allow visualization of cells and tissues, which are necessary for the cure and treatment of diseased and damaged tissues.