ABSTRACT
Objective For the system of two single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) placed in parallel onto a cell membrane, effects of the interaction between carbon nanotubes on wrapping manner of carbon tubes by the membrane were investigated, and the energy-optimized configurations were obtained. Methods A physical model for membrane-wrapped CNTs considering the interaction between two CNTs, and parameters describing the morphology of cell membrane and positions of CNTs were introduced. The Helfrich model based on continuum mechanics was used to calculate the membrane’s bending energy and the Lennard-Jones potential was introduced to describe the interaction between CNTs. Free energy of the system at different distances of NTs was calculated by the look-up table method, and the typical configurations of the membrane-wrapped CNTs was obtained. Results Compared with the case wherein the interaction between CNTs was not considered, the free energy profile of the system significantly changed. Deep well appeared on energy curve, when the distance between CNTs of carbon was 0.3 times of the tube diameter; as the distance between CNTs increased, the energy returned to the case wherein the interaction between CNTs was not considered. Conclusions With introduction of the interaction between CNTs, the wrapping manner of CNTs by the cell membrane changed, and the two CNTs tended to contact during their endocytosis. These results provide theoretical references for understanding and developing novel nanotube-based system for drug delivery.
ABSTRACT
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a class of carbon allotropes with interesting properties that make them productive materials for usage in various disciplines of nanotechnology such as in electronics equip-ments, optics and therapeutics. They exhibit distinguished properties viz., strength, and high electrical and heat conductivity. Their uniqueness can be attributed due to the bonding pattern present between the atoms which are very strong and also exhibit high extreme aspect ratios. CNTs are classified as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the basis of number of sidewalls present and the way they are arranged spatially. Application of CNTs to improve the performance of many products, especially in healthcare, has led to an occupational and public exposure to these nanomaterials. Hence, it becomes a major concern to analyze the issues pertaining to the toxicity of CNTs and find the best suitable ways to counter those challenges. This review summarizes the toxicity issues of CNTs in vitro and in vivo in different organ systems (bio interphases) of the body that result in cellular toxicity.