Tailoring carbon nanotube surfaces with glyconanorings: new bionanomaterials with specific lectin affinity

摘要

Remarkably stable, water-soluble glyconanoring-coated SWCNTs were prepared by self organization and photo-polymerization of neutral diacetylene-based glycolipids on the nanotube surface; the nanoconstructs are able to engage in specific ligand-lectin interactions in a similar way to glycoconjugates on cell membranes.rnEndowed with unique size, shape and physical properties, single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are currently being actively investigated as a vehicle for the in vivo smart delivery of biologically relevant molecules, as nanometric sensors, and potentially, for cancer treatment.