Carbon nanotubes hybrid hydrogels in drug delivery: a perspective review

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:825017. doi: 10.1155/2014/825017. Epub 2014 Jan 21.

Abstract

The use of biologics, polymers, silicon materials, carbon materials, and metals has been proposed for the preparation of innovative drug delivery devices. One of the most promising materials in this field are the carbon-nanotubes composites and hybrid materials coupling the advantages of polymers (biocompatibility and biodegradability) with those of carbon nanotubes (cellular uptake, stability, electromagnatic, and magnetic behavior). The applicability of polymer-carbon nanotubes composites in drug delivery, with particular attention to the controlled release by composites hydrogel, is being extensively investigated in the present review.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / administration & dosage*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Polymers / administration & dosage
  • Polymers / chemistry

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Polymers