Surfactant-assisted dispersion of carbon nanotubes: mechanism of stabilization and biocompatibility of the surfactant

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 15; no. 10; pp. 1 - 19
• Main Authors: Singh, Raman Preet, Jain, Sanyog, Ramarao, Poduri
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-10-2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Carbon nanotubes; Cellular; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dispersions; Exact sciences and technology; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Research Paper; Surfactants; Carbon nanotubes; Biocompatibility; Surfactant; Toxicity; Dispersion; Polyethylenes; Steric hindrance; Dispersions; Surfactants; Free energy; Aggregation; Nanoparticles; Experimental design; DNA; Nanostructured materials
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-013-1985-7

Nanoparticles (NPs) are thermodynamically unstable system and tend to aggregate to reduce free energy. The aggregation property of NPs results in inhomogeneous exposure of cells to NPs resulting in variable cellular responses. Several types of surfactants are used to stabilize NP dispersions and obtain homogenous dispersions. However, the effects of these surfactants, per se, on cellular responses are not completely known. The present study investigated the application of Pluronic F68 (PF68) for obtaining stable dispersion of NPs using carbon nanotubes as model NPs. PF68-stabilized NP suspensions are stable for long durations and do not show signs of aggregation or settling during storage or after autoclaving. The polyethylene oxide blocks in PF68 provide steric hindrance between adjacent NPs leading to stable NP dispersions. Further, PF68 is biocompatible in nature and does not affect integrity of mitochondria, lysosomes, DNA, and nuclei. Also, PF68 neither induce free radical or cytokine production nor does it interfere with cellular uptake mechanisms. The results of the present study suggest that PF68-assisted dispersion of NPs produced suspensions, which are stable after autoclaving. Further, PF68 does not interfere with normal physiological functions suggesting its application in nanomedicine and nanotoxicity evaluation.