Recent Advances of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical and Device Applications (A Review)

Recently, the field of nanotechnology has remarkably progressed. Nanomaterials, the backbone of nanotechnology, are at the forefront of modern science. Carbon-nanotubes (CNTs), a 1-dimensional nanostructure of carbon has remained a centre of attraction for a variety of applications and is likely to become a vast field of its own. CNTs, the rolled graphene layer offers unique properties due to its distinctive dimensions, high surface area, thermal and electronic conduction, mechanical strength etc. Carbon nanotubes, with their unique properties have made significant contributions in the fields of electronics, optics, biomedicine, energy and many more. Anchoring various moieties on the CNT surface improves its functionality and widens range of applications for CNTs. CNT functionalization offers a platform not only for the advancements in the field of materials but also motivate researchers to develop new synthetic strategies to create the materials “on demand.” The studies have revealed that functionalized CNTs are promising for applications such as sensors, drug delivery, energy, electronics, catalysis etc. where efficiency and selectivity matters. This review gives an overview of CNT functionalization and discusses the applications of functionalized CNTs in various sectors. The existing challenges in CNT functionalization and the scope for the development have been discussed.