Biodefunctionalization of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes in mice.

ABSTRACT: Chemically modified carbon nanotubes with hydrophilic functionalities such as polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are widely pursued for potential biological and biomedical applications. In this study, PEGylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (PEG-SWNT) were intravenously administrated into mice to study their biodefunctionalization in vivo by using complementary Raman and photoluminescence measurements. There was meaningful defunctionalization of PEG-SWNT in liver over time, but not in spleen under similar conditions. The evidence from spectroscopic characterization and analyses is presented, and mechanistic implications are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Yang ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2886730 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature