Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Biomedical Applications and Toxicological Implications

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most studied carbon-based materials. Due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, CNTs can have a variety of biomedical applications. However, their toxicity is a significant issue with CNTs’ utilization in biomedical applications. Hence, many research groups are still focusing on this problem with carbon nanotubes. Functionalization of CNT improves the application of CNTs in the pharmaceutical area. Due to their distinctive qualities, including their high surface area, extraordinary mechanical strength, and great biocompatibility when suitably modified, functionalized CNTs have drawn a lot of attention in biomedical research. Here, in this chapter, we present a brief overview of carbon nanotubes and the key synthesis techniques. Further, the chapter also describes how functionalized CNTs are used in biomedicine and the variables and mechanisms impacting their toxicity. Due to their unique combination of mechanical, optical, and electrical properties, carbon nanotubes have attracted attention for use in a wide range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, gene therapy, biosensors, and tissue engineering.