Modifications of Carbon Nanotubes for Bio-applications and Toxicity Evaluations

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWNTs) were procured from Nanoshel, USA. Covalent functionalization was accomplished with three types of oxidants: (1) 70% Nitric acid under reflux (2) Sulfuric acid and Nitric acid (v/ v = 3/1) under sonication (3) 20% Sulfuric acid and Nitric acid (v/v = 3/1) by heating. The non covalent functionalization was accomplished via di-imide activated amidation using N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N2 -ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA).The covalent functionlized carbon nanotubes in combination with Non Covalent functionalized Carbon Nanotubes were readily dispersed in water, DMF and cell culture media to investigate their toxicity. Characterization of functionalized and dispersed Nanotubes were carried out by using FTIR, FESEM,and UV-vis spectroscopy.