Multi Walled Carbon Nano Tube MWCNT
Engineered carbon nanomaterials such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have applications in structural and electronic devices due to their extraordinary thermal conductivity, mechanical and electrical properties, which creates a potential occupational exposure situation. Potential bioactivity (in vitro toxicity and increased production of inflammatory mediators, and/orin vivo increased inflammation and pathology) of MWCNT has been attributed to length, diameter , aggregation state, contaminants, aspect ratio/rigidity, and release of reactive oxygen species. Surface modification of MWCNT with functional moieties is an important step in creating useful biological and industrial nanomaterials. Surface functional groups can alter the surface charge, functionality and reactivity of the surface, and enhance the stability, and dispersability of MWCNT. Raw MWCNT from commercial vendors usually contain metal impurities (e.g., Ni, Fe) and a surface amorphous carbon layer. The presence of metal impurities and the surface amorphous carbon jeopardizes the intrinsic optical, electrical and mechanical properties of MWCNT and can have undesirable biological activities.