Question

When developing nanosensors for medical use, what are the advantages of using (A) Single-walled carbon nanotubules (SWCNTs) and (B) gold nanoparticles (GNPs)

Answer 1

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is one form of carbon, with nanometer-sized diameter and micrometer-sized length (where the length to diameter ratio exceeds 1000). Carbon nanotubes are members of the fullerene structural family, which also includes buckyballs. Commercial applications for CNT have been rather slow to develop, however, primarily because of the high production costs of the best quality CNTs.

Advantage of SWCNT:

1. SWCNTs can be excellent conductors.

2. SWCNTs have a diameter of close to 1 nm.

3. SWCNTs have been used to realize many molecular scale electronic devices.

4. SWCNTs make possible bonding to polymers and biological systems such as DNA and carbohydrates.

Advantage of Gold nanoparticles:

1. Large surface area

2. Low hydrodynamic mean size

3. Multimodal applications(targeting, diagnostic, therapy)

4. Scaffold for additional agents

5. Ease of surface modification

6. Stability and biocompatibility