Noncovalent interactions between linear-dendritic copolymers and carbon nanotubes lead to liposome-like nanocapsules

Abstract

Morphology (conformation) of carbon nanotubes was changed from extended- toward closed-state upon noncovalent interactions with polyglycerol-poly(ethylene glycol)-polyglycerol ABA type hydrophilic linear-dendritic copolymer and liposome-like nanocapsules were formed. Since one of the proposed reasons for the carcinogenicity of carbon nanotubes is their long lengths and rigid structures, flexible liposome-like nanocapsules prepared by this strategy could be safer and far from the asbestos-like physicochemical properties of CNTs and therefore their potential health hazards. Avoiding these health hazards, it is possible to develop CNTs for biomedical applications. Therefore biocompatibility of liposome-like nanocapsules and their ability to load and deliver anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin was evaluated and it was proved that their loading capacity is more that two grams of drug to one gram of liposome-like nanocapsules.