Issue 32, 2017

Single-walled carbon nanotubes as optical probes for bio-sensing and imaging

Abstract

The unique physical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been exploited in novel applications in various fields including electronics and life sciences. Their photoluminescence in the near-infrared (NIR) range, where optical interference from biological tissues is minimum, has rendered them particularly attractive as optical probes in biological environments. Herein we review the use of the SWCNT NIR emission in bio-sensing and imaging. To interface the insoluble carbon nanotubes with an aqueous biological environment, biomaterials and organic polymers have been widely used for non-covalently functionalizing SWCNTs. Such functionalization minimizes the toxicity of carbon nanotubes in biological and physiological environments, while maintaining their optical properties. SWCNTs have been demonstrated as both in vitro and in vivo optical sensors, targeting biologically important molecules, such as neurotransmitters and cell signaling molecules. For optical imaging, functionalized SWCNTs were used as NIR contrast agents for probing cellular processes and imaging plants and small animals. We also discuss emerging SWCNT-based super-resolution schemes. We conclude that SWCNTs are promising optical materials for basic life science research, biomedical diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Graphical abstract: Single-walled carbon nanotubes as optical probes for bio-sensing and imaging

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
18 mar 2017
Accepted
21 apr 2017
First published
22 apr 2017

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2017,5, 6511-6522

Single-walled carbon nanotubes as optical probes for bio-sensing and imaging

J. Pan, F. Li and J. H. Choi, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2017, 5, 6511 DOI: 10.1039/C7TB00748E

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