Carbon nanomaterials for biomedical applications: A comprehensive review
Abstract
Carbon-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the recent advancements and potential applications of carbon-based nanomaterials in the field of biomedicine. The review begins by discussing the different types of carbon-based nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and fullerenes, highlighting their distinct structures and properties. It then explores the synthesis and functionalization strategies employed to tailor their physicochemical properties, facilitating their integration into various biomedical platforms. Furthermore, the review delves into the applications of carbon-based nanomaterials in biomedicine, focusing on three major areas: diagnostics, therapeutics, and tissue engineering. In diagnostics, carbon-based nanomaterials have demonstrated their utility as biosensors, imaging agents, and platforms for disease detection and monitoring. In therapeutics, they have been utilized for drug delivery, gene therapy, and photothermal therapy, among others. Additionally, carbon-based nanomaterials have shown great potential in tissue engineering, where they have been employed as scaffolds, biosensors, and substrates for cell growth and differentiation. The review also highlights the challenges and considerations associated with the use of carbon-based nanomaterials in biomedical applications, including toxicity concerns, biocompatibility, and regulatory considerations. Moreover, it discusses the current trends and future prospects in this rapidly evolving field, such as the development of multifunctional nanomaterials, combination therapies, and personalized medicine.
References
Riley PR, Narayan RJ. Recent advances in carbon nanomaterials for biomedical applications: A review. Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering. 2021; 17: 100262. doi: 10.1016/j.cobme.2021.100262
Zhang L, Xia J, Zhao Q, et al. Functional Graphene Oxide as a Nanocarrier for Controlled Loading and Targeted Delivery of Mixed Anticancer Drugs. Small. 2010; 6(4): 537-544. doi: 10.1002/smll.200901680
Saleemi MA, Kong YL, Yong PVC, et al. An overview of recent development in therapeutic drug carrier system using carbon nanotubes. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2020; 59: 101855. doi: 10.1016/j.jddst.2020.101855
Liu Z, Chen K, Davis C, et al. Drug Delivery with Carbon Nanotubes for In vivo Cancer Treatment. Cancer Research. 2008; 68(16): 6652-6660. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-1468
Chen Z, Zhang Z, Liu B. Biocompatible, uniform, and re-dispersible mesoporous silica nanoparticles for cancer-targeted drug delivery in vivo. Advanced Functional Materials. 2013; 23(24): 2959-2967.
Eatemadi A, Daraee H, Karimkhanloo H, et al. Carbon nanotubes: properties, synthesis, purification, and medical applications. Nanoscale Research Letters. 2014; 9(1). doi: 10.1186/1556-276x-9-393
Yang K, Hu L, Ma X, et al. Multimodal Imaging Guided Photothermal Therapy using Functionalized Graphene Nanosheets Anchored with Magnetic Nanoparticles. Advanced Materials. 2012; 24(14): 1868-1872. doi: 10.1002/adma.201104964
Shi X, Gong H, Li Y, et al. Graphene-based magnetic plasmonic nanocomposite for dual bioimaging and photothermal therapy. Biomaterials. 2013; 34(20): 4786-4793. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.03.023
Liu Z, Tabakman SM, Chen Z, et al. Preparation of carbon nanotube bioconjugates for biomedical applications. Nature Protocols. 2009; 4(9): 1372-1381. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2009.146
Lee C, Wei X, Kysar JW, et al. Measurement of the Elastic Properties and Intrinsic Strength of Monolayer Graphene. Science. 2008; 321(5887): 385-388. doi: 10.1126/science.1157996
Lee C, Wei X, Li Q, et al. Elastic and frictional properties of graphene. physica status solidi (b). 2009; 246(11-12): 2562-2567. doi: 10.1002/pssb.200982329
Wang X, Zhi L, Müllen K. Transparent, Conductive Graphene Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Nano Letters. 2007; 8(1): 323-327. doi: 10.1021/nl072838r
Yang K, Feng L, Shi X, et al. Nano-graphene in biomedicine: theranostic applications. Chem Soc Rev. 2013; 42(2): 530-547. doi: 10.1039/c2cs35342c
Geim AK, Novoselov KS. The rise of graphene. Nature Materials. 2007; 6(3): 183-191. doi: 10.1038/nmat1849
Wu J, Pisula W, Müllen K. Graphenes as Potential Material for Electronics. Chemical Reviews. 2007; 107(3): 718-747. doi: 10.1021/cr068010r
Li D, Müller MB, Gilje S, et al. Processable aqueous dispersions of graphene nanosheets. Nature Nanotechnology. 2008; 3(2): 101-105. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2007.451
Yang K, Zhang S, Zhang G, et al. Graphene in Mice: Ultrahigh In Vivo Tumor Uptake and Efficient Photothermal Therapy. Nano Letters. 2010; 10(9): 3318-3323. doi: 10.1021/nl100996u
Li N, Zhang Q, Gao S, et al. Three-dimensional graphene foam as a biocompatible and conductive scaffold for neural stem cells. Scientific Reports. 2013; 3(1). doi: 10.1038/srep01604
Li JL, Bao HC, Hou XL, et al. Graphene oxide nanoparticles as a nonbleaching optical probe for two-photon luminescence imaging and cell therapy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition England. 2013; 52(14): 4310-4314.
Delogu LG, Stanford SM, Santelli E, et al. Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocarriers: The Importance of Keeping It Clean. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2010; 10(8): 5293-5301. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2010.3083
Maiti D, Tong X, Mou X, et al. Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications: A Recent Study. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019; 9. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01401
Tîlmaciu CM, Morris MC. Carbon nanotube biosensors. Frontiers in Chemistry. 2015; 3. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2015.00059
Tufano I, Vecchione R, Netti PA. Methods to Scale Down Graphene Oxide Size and Size Implication in Anti-cancer Applications. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 2020; 8. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.613280
Tian B, Wang C, Zhang S, et al. Photothermally Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy Delivered by Nano-Graphene Oxide. ACS Nano. 2011; 5(9): 7000-7009. doi: 10.1021/nn201560b
Kumar S, Nehra M, Kedia D, et al. Carbon nanotubes: A potential material for energy conversion and storage. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 2018; 64: 219-253. doi: 10.1016/j.pecs.2017.10.005
Peng LM, Zhang Z, Wang S. Carbon nanotube electronics: recent advances. Materials Today. 2014; 17(9): 433-442. doi: 10.1016/j.mattod.2014.07.008
Dai L, Huang Z, Huang Q, et al. Carbon nanotube mode-locked fiber lasers: recent progress and perspectives. Nanophotonics. 2020; 10(2): 749-775. doi: 10.1515/nanoph-2020-0446
Popov V. Carbon nanotubes: properties and application. Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports. 2004; 43(3): 61-102. doi: 10.1016/j.mser.2003.10.001
Wen L, Li F, Cheng H. Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene for Flexible Electrochemical Energy Storage: from Materials to Devices. Advanced Materials. 2016; 28(22): 4306-4337. doi: 10.1002/adma.201504225
Rahman G, Najaf Z, Mehmood A, et al. An Overview of the Recent Progress in the Synthesis and Applications of Carbon Nanotubes. C. 2019; 5(1): 3. doi: 10.3390/c5010003
Shen H, Zhang L, Liu M, et al. Biomedical Applications of Graphene. Theranostics. 2012; 2(3): 283-294. doi: 10.7150/thno.3642
Kumbhakar P, Chowde Gowda C, Tiwary CS. Advance Optical Properties and Emerging Applications of 2D Materials. Frontiers in Materials. 2021; 8. doi: 10.3389/fmats.2021.721514
Huang X, Yin Z, Wu S, et al. Graphene‐Based Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, and Applications. Small. 2011; 7(14): 1876-1902. doi: 10.1002/smll.201002009
Wu W, Yu Q, Peng P, et al. Control of thickness uniformity and grain size in graphene films for transparent conductive electrodes. Nanotechnology. 2012; 23: 035603. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/3/035603
Pu J, Tang L, Li C, et al. Chemical vapor deposition growth of few-layer graphene for transparent conductive films. RSC Advances. 2015; 5(55): 44142-44148. doi: 10.1039/c5ra03919c
Troshin PA, Hoppe H, Peregudov AS, et al. Fullerene‐Based Materials for Organic Solar Cells. ChemSusChem. 2010; 4(1): 119-124. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201000246
Popov AA, Yang S, Dunsch L. Endohedral Fullerenes. Chemical Reviews. 2013; 113(8): 5989-6113. doi: 10.1021/cr300297r
Mintz KJ, Bartoli M, Rovere M, et al. A deep investigation into the structure of carbon dots. Carbon. 2021; 173: 433-447. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2020.11.017
He Z, Liu S, Zhang C, et al. Coal based carbon dots: Recent advances in synthesis, properties, and applications. Nano Select. 2021; 2(9): 1589-1604. doi: 10.1002/nano.202100019
Yuan T, Meng T, He P, et al. Carbon quantum dots: an emerging material for optoelectronic applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry C. 2019; 7(23): 6820-6835. doi: 10.1039/c9tc01730e
Wang B, Cai H, Waterhouse GIN, et al. Carbon Dots in Bioimaging, Biosensing and Therapeutics: A Comprehensive Review. Small Science. 2022; 2(6). doi: 10.1002/smsc.202200012
Feng L, Xie N, Zhong J. Carbon Nanofibers and Their Composites: A Review of Synthesizing, Properties and Applications. Materials. 2014; 7(5): 3919-3945. doi: 10.3390/ma7053919
Abdo GG, Zagho MM, Al Moustafa A, et al. A comprehensive review summarizing the recent biomedical applications of functionalized carbon nanofibers. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials. 2021; 109(11): 1893-1908. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.34828
Ruiz-Cornejo JC, Sebastián D, Lázaro MJ. Synthesis and applications of carbon nanofibers: a review. Reviews in Chemical Engineering. 2020; 36(4): 493-511. doi: 10.1515/revce-2018-0021
Karousis N, Suarez-Martinez I, Ewels CP, et al. Structure, Properties, Functionalization, and Applications of Carbon Nanohorns. Chemical Reviews. 2016; 116(8): 4850-4883. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00611
Gurova OA, Omelyanchuk LV, Dubatolova TD, et al. Synthesis and modification of carbon nanohorns structure for hyperthermic application. Journal of Structural Chemistry. 2017; 58(6): 1205-1212. doi: 10.1134/s0022476617060191
Serban BC, Bumbac M, Buiu O, et al. Carbon nanohorns and their nanocomposites: synthesis, properties and applications. A concise review. Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Science and Technology of Information. 2018; 11(2): 2066-8562.
Hernández-Rivera M, Zaibaq NG, Wilson LJ. Toward carbon nanotube-based imaging agents for the clinic. Biomaterials. 2016; 101: 229-240. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.05.045
Kuźnik N, Tomczyk MM. Multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrids as MRI contrast agents. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology. 2016; 7: 1086-1103. doi: 10.3762/bjnano.7.102
Li JL, Tang B, Yuan B, et al. A review of optical imaging and therapy using nanosized graphene and graphene oxide. Biomaterials. 2013; 34(37): 9519-9534. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.08.066
Sun X, Liu Z, Welsher K, et al. Nano-graphene oxide for cellular imaging and drug delivery. Nano Research. 2008; 1(3): 203-212. doi: 10.1007/s12274-008-8021-8
Tran TT, Mulchandani A. Carbon nanotubes and graphene nano field-effect transistor-based biosensors. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 2016; 79: 222-232. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2015.12.002
Liu S, Guo X. Carbon nanomaterials field-effect-transistor-based biosensors. NPG Asia Materials 2012; 4:23. doi: 10.1038/am.2012.42
Alabsi SS, Ahmed AY, Dennis JO, et al. A Review of Carbon Nanotubes Field Effect-Based Biosensors. IEEE Access. 2020; 8: 69509-69521. doi: 10.1109/access.2020.2987204
Ghada GA, Moustafa M, Zagho, et al. A comprehensive review summarizing the recent biomedical applications of functionalized carbon nanofibers. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 2021; 1-16.
Ghosal K, Sarkar K. Biomedical Applications of Graphene Nanomaterials and Beyond. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. 2018; 4: 2653−2703. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00376
Raphey VR, Henna TK, Nivitha KP, et al. Advanced biomedical applications of carbon nanotube. Materials Science and Engineering C. 2019; 100: 616-630. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.03.043
Molaei MJ. Carbon quantum dots and their biomedical and therapeutic applications: a review. RSC Advances. 2019; 9: 6460-6481. doi: 10.1039/C8RA08088G
Zhu S, Xu G. Carbon Nanohorns and Their Biomedical Applications. Nanomaterials for the Life Sciences. 2012; 9: 83-109. doi: 10.1002/9783527610419.ntls0231
Fritea L, Banica F, Costea TO, et al. Metal Nanoparticles and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Improved Performances of Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors with Biomedical Applications. Materials. 2021; 14: 6319. doi: 10.3390/ma14216319
Heydari-Bafrooei E, Ensafi AA. Typically used carbon-based nanomaterials in the fabrication of biosensors, Electrochemical Biosensors. Elsevier. 2019; 77-98. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-816491-4.00004-8
Tiwari JN, Vij V, Kemp KC, Kim KS. Engineered Carbon-Nanomaterial-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Biomolecules. ACS Nano. 2016; 10(1): 46-80. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5b05690
Modi CD, Patel SJ, Desai AB, Murthy RSR. Functionalization and evaluation of PEGylated Carbon Nanotubes as novel Drug delivery for methotrexate. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 2011; 1(5): 103-108.
Sharma S, Mehra NK, Jain K, Jain NK. Effect of functionalization on drug delivery potential of carbon nanotubes. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. 2016; 44(8): 1851-1860. doi: 10.3109/21691401.2015.1111227
Zhang W, Zhang Z, Zhang Y. The application of carbon nanotubes in target drug delivery systems for cancer therapies. Nanoscale Research Letters. 2011; 6: 555. doi: 10.1186/1556-276X-6-555
Tan JM, Arulselvan P, Fakurazi S, et al. A Review on Characterization sand Biocompatibility of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes in Drug Delivery Design. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2014; 917024. doi: 10.1155/2014/917024
Ge X, Asiri AM, Du D, et al. Nanomaterial-enhanced paper-based biosensors. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 2014; 58: 31-39. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2014.03.008
Bhardwaj J, Devarakonda S, Kumar S, Jang J. Development of a paper-based electrochemical immunosensor using an antibody-single walled carbon nanotubes bio-conjugate modified electrode for label-free detection of foodborne pathogens. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. 2017; 253: 115-123. doi: 10.1016/j.snb.2017.06.108
Veeralingam S, Badhulika S. Enzyme immobilized multi-walled carbon nanotubes on paper-based biosensor fabricated via mask-less hydrophilic and hydrophobic microchannels for cholesterol detection. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 2022; 113: 401-410. doi: 10.1016/j.jiec.2022.06.015
Ku SH, Lee M, Park CB. Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Tissue Engineering. Advanced Healthcare Materials. 2013; 2: 244-260. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201200307
Bai RG, Ninan N, Muthoosamy K, Manickam S. Graphene: A versatile platform for nanotheranostics and tissue engineering. Progress in Materials Science. 2018; 91: 24-69. doi: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2017.08.004
Ławkowska K, Pokrywcznska M, Koper K, et al. Application of Graphene in Tissue Engineering of the Nervous System. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23: 33. doi: 10.3390/ijms23010033
Oprea M, Voicu SI. Cellulose Composites with Graphene for Tissue Engineering Applications. Materials. 2020; 13: 5347. doi: 10.3390/ma13235347
Huang B. Carbon nanotubes and their polymeric composites: the applications in tissue engineering. Biomanufacturing Reviews. 2020; 5: 3. doi: 10.1007/s40898-020-00009-x
Bao L, Cui X, Mortimer M, et al. The renaissance of one-dimensional carbon nanotubes in tissue engineering. Nano Today. 2023; 49: 101784. doi: 10.1016/j.nantod.2023.101784
Patel DK, Dutta SD, Ganguly K, et al. Enhanced osteogenic potential of unzipped carbon nanotubes for tissue engineering. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. 2021; 109(10): 1869-1880. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.37179
Frantz C, Stewart KM, Weaver VM. The extracellular matrix at a glance. Journal of Cell Science. 2010; 123(24): 4195-4200. doi: 10.1242/jcs.023820
Soroush E, Mohammadpour Z, Kharaziha M, et al. Polysaccharides-based nanofibrils: From tissue engineering to biosensor applications. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2022; 291: 119670. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119670
Serafin A, Murphy C, Rubio MC, Collins MN. Printable alginate/gelatin hydrogel reinforced with carbon nanofibers as electrically conductive scaffolds for tissue engineering. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2021; 122: 111927. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.111927
Rastegar S, Mehdikhani M, Bigham A, et al. Poly glycerol sebacate/ polycaprolactone/ carbon quantum dots fibrous scaffold as a multifunctional platform for cardiac tissue engineering. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 2021; 266: 124543. doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.124543
Yan C, Ren Y, Sun X, et al. Photoluminescent functionalized carbon quantum dots loaded electroactive Silk fibroin/PLA nanofibrous bioactive scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2020; 202: 111680. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111680
Madannejad R, Shoaie N, Jahanpeyma F, et al. Toxicity of carbon-based nanomaterials: Reviewing recent reports in medical and biological systems. Chemico-Biological Interactions. 2019; 307: 206-222. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.04.036
Rajakumar G, Zhang XH, Gomathi T, et al. Current Use of Carbon-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications-A Prospective and Review. Processes. 2020; 8: 355. doi: 10.3390/pr8030355
Yuan X, Zhang X, Sun L, et al. Cellular Toxicity and Immunological Effects of Carbon-based Nanomaterials. Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 2019; 18: 1743-8977. doi: 10.1186/s12989-019-0299-z
Díez-Pascual AM. Carbon-Based Nanomaterials. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22: 7726. doi: 10.3390/ijms22147726
Monaco AM, Giugliano M. Carbon-based smart nanomaterials in biomedicine and neuro-engineering. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology. 2014; 5: 1849-1863. doi: 10.3762/bjnano.5.196
Copyright (c) 2023 Razu Shahazi, Srabani Majumdar, Amirul Islam Saddam, Joyanta Mondal, Mohammed Muzibur Rahman, Md. Mahmud Alam
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors contributing to this journal agree to publish their articles under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, allowing third parties to share their work (copy, distribute, transmit) and to adapt it for any purpose, even commercially, under the condition that the authors are given credit. With this license, authors hold the copyright.