Title: Preparation of water soluble carbon nanotubes and assessment of their biological activity in embryonic zebrafish

Authors: Adeniyi A. Adenuga; Lisa Truong; Robert L. Tanguay; Vincent T. Remcho

Addresses: Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Safer Nanomaterials Nanomanufacturing Initiative, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, Eugene, OR 97403, USA ' Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Safer Nanomaterials Nanomanufacturing Initiative, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, Eugene, OR 97403, USA ' Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 ALS, Oregon 97331, USA; Initiative, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, Eugene, OR 97403, USA ' Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Safer Nanomaterials Nanomanufacturing Initiative, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, Eugene, OR 97403, USA

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are currently one of the most important classes of nanomaterials with unique properties sparking off numerous applications in many fields, including electronics, material science and medicine. However, applications of CNTs in medicine and other biological fields are hampered by their insolubility in aqueous media and concerns regarding toxicity. In this study, seven types of CNTs, including two single-walled, one double-walled, and four multi-walled, were evaluated for possible toxicological effects. Soluble CNTs were prepared by treatment with a mixture of acids (D₂SO₄ and DNO₃), washed with Milli-Q water and oven dried. Transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and other techniques were used to characterise the prepared CNTs. CNT toxicity was assessed using the embryonic zebrafish. Results showed that none of the CNTs studied caused significant adverse developmental effects. These results support the potential safe use of CNTs as components of indwelling medical devices and drug delivery tools.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes; CNTs; CNT toxicity deutrated acids; solubility; biomedical applications; embryonic zebrafish; nanotoxicity; teratogenic endpoints; nanotechnology; nanomaterials; water.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBNN.2013.054514

International Journal of Biomedical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2013 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.38 - 51

Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *