Template Synthesized Nanotubes for Biomedical Delivery Applications

Abstract

This review details the advances made in alumina template-synthesized nanotubes and nano test tubes as delivery vehicles for biomedical applications. Most current research has focused on spherical nanoparticles because they are easier to make; however, cylindrical particles or nanotubes offer many advantages over spherical particles. One advantage is that the template is tunable, which means the pore diameter and template thickness can be controlled, resulting in larger payload capacities for nanotubes. Another advantage is that template synthesized nanotubes can be differentially functionalized on their inner and outer surfaces. Inner and outer surface nanotube modification for use in drug extraction, antibody-antigen interactions and magnetization is discussed. Recent advances made in covalent capping ('corking') nanotubes to prevent premature payload leakage are also covered. Although many applications for nanotubes have already been discovered, many new and exciting paths await exploration.

Carbon nanotubes prepared by anodic aluminum oxide template method

“…Compared with the conventional synthesis methods [95][96][97], the AAO template approach shows unique advantage for hetero atom doping in CNTs [93,[98][99][100][101]. The heteroatoms can be selectively doped at the inner or outer surface of CNTs, which is very useful in many applications requiring different polar nature and chemical or physical reaction activity, such as bioseparations and catalyst supports [14,39]. This unique advantage originates from the synthesis procedure of AAO-CNTs.…”

“…The filled materials may show intriguing properties [43,109,110] due to the space confinement effect and the interactions with the surrounded carbon layers. On the other hand, the nanochannel of CNTs provides ideal delivery vehicles for the payloads of biomolecules, drugs, DNA, and metals [39]. Furthermore, the hollow core of CNTs can also act as an ideal nanoreactor for gas or liquid reactions [11].…”

“…In addition, the AAO template synthesis method makes it possible to selectively dope or chemically functionalize the inner or outer surface of CNTs. Owing to these unique characteristics, the CNTs prepared by AAO template method may find applications in biomedical or drug delivery [39], small molecule delivery systems [40], high density magnetic recording [41], anode materials [42], etc.…”

The Separation Power of Nanotubes in Membranes: A Review

“…This application emerged in 2003 when Martin and Kohli [174] suggested nanoparticles as "straws" with a structure that is more beneficial than spherical particles. Hillebrenner et al [175] describe the advantages of nanotubes over spherical particles; the template is tunable, which means the pore diameter and template thickness can be controlled, resulting in larger payload capacities for nanotubes. The needle-like structure of nanotubes allows for advanced medical applications.…”

Структура И Физические Свойства Железных Нанотрубок, Полученных Методом Темплатного Синтеза

“…Однако получение нанотрубок на таких подложках ограничено особенно-стью методики синтеза [15,16]. В силу специфической структуры и уникальных свойств более привлекатель-ными для практического применения являются полые наноструктуры, которые за счет меньшей объемной плотности и большей площади поверхности перспектив-ны для использования в качестве элементов наноэлек-тронных устройств [17], катализаторов [1], носителей при адресной доставке лекарственных средств [18] и химических реакторов [19].…”