ABSTRACT
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) signify solitarily the most extensively experimented allotropes of carbon. Because of their unique physicochemical properties, CNTs are ideal candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, gene therapy, biosensors, and tissue engineering. This chapter summarizes the properties and functionalization of CNTs for application toward recent approaches in human health-care advancements against nondurable diseases. The use of various functionalized CNTs in chemotherapy for efficient drug loading, targeted drug delivery, and controlled release is one of the therapeutic applications. In the similar context, other therapeutic approaches like gene therapy, photodynamic, and photothermal therapy also evidence the usability of CNTs as the carrier of antisense oligo, small interference ribonucleic acids, and photosensitizers, respectively. Another dimension of therapeutic application includes the tissue engineering and wound-healing approaches. 172Specifically for these applications, the great mechanical properties along with biocompatibility are exploited to design new scaffolds for the regeneration of neural and bone tissues. Moreover, the antibacterial effect of CNTs benefits its use in bandage materials for curing of long-term critical wounds. This will be an informative chapter for material science scholars as well as biomedical researchers.
