Single-walled carbon nanotube medical applications

Abstract This chapter focuses on the performances of gas sensors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).The chapter first reviews chemiresistor and field-effect transistor sensor architectures. Theoretical models based on doping effect and Schottky barrier modulation are correlated to the percolation of metallic carbon nanotubes. The functionalisation strategies of carbon nanotubes, used to acquire a gas selectivity, are discussed and offer promising application for the monitoring of air quality, or military and medical applications. 

Ajayan et al., 2003). Both single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes have become ideal nanoscale-building blocks for nanoengineering. A lot of studies suggest that CNTs have extensive commercial application potential in medical chemistry and biomedical engineering. 

Single-walled nanotubes have gained much interest recently with regard to medical and other applications. However, toxicological research has not progressed to the point where occupational exposure levels can be developed. Therefore, scientists have exposed laboratory rats to concentrations that are equal to the safe occupational limits of other fine particulate matter, such as quartz and carbon black, to evaluate the applicability of these limits to single-walled nanotubes. Results suggest... 

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