Advances in Carbon Nanotubes–Hydrogel Hybrids in Nanomedicine for Therapeutics

Abstract

In spite of significant advancement in hydrogel technology, low mechanical strength and lack of electrical conductivity have limited their next-level biomedical applications for skeletal muscles, cardiac and neural cells. Host-guest chemistry based hybrid nanocomposites systems have gained attention as they completely overcome these pitfalls and generate bioscaffolds with tunable electrical and mechanical characteristics. In recent years, carbon nanotube (CNT)-based hybrid hydrogels have emerged as innovative candidates with diverse applications in regenerative medicines, tissue engineering, drug delivery devices, implantable devices, biosensing, and biorobotics. This article is an attempt to recapitulate the advancement in synthesis and characterization of hybrid hydrogels and provide deep insights toward their functioning and success as biomedical devices. The improved comparative performance and biocompatibility of CNT-hydrogels hybrids systems developed for targeted biomedical applications are addressed here. Recent updates toward diverse applications and limitations of CNT hybrid hydrogels is the strength of the review. This will provide a holistic approach toward understanding of CNT-based hydrogels and their applications in nanotheranostics.

Hydrogel bioelectronics

“…Several approaches such as covalent or physical crosslinking and polymer grafting have been developed to achieve conductive CNT-hydrogel nanocomposites. 108,109 Owing to carbon-based nanomaterials' flexibility in chemical functionalization, a wide range of biocompatible hydrogels have been adopted as composite matrix including poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), collagen, gelatin, chitosan, alginate, and guar-gum. 108 Recent advances in CNT-based conductive hydrogel nanocomposites have provided a versatile engineering platform for bioelectronic applications in nervous and cardio-muscular systems.…”

“…108,109 Owing to carbon-based nanomaterials' flexibility in chemical functionalization, a wide range of biocompatible hydrogels have been adopted as composite matrix including poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), collagen, gelatin, chitosan, alginate, and guar-gum. 108 Recent advances in CNT-based conductive hydrogel nanocomposites have provided a versatile engineering platform for bioelectronic applications in nervous and cardio-muscular systems. For example, Shin et al developed a functional cardiac patch by seeding cardiomyocytes onto a CNT-gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) conductive nanocomposite hydrogel 100 (Fig.…”

Polylactide/Hydroxyapatite Nonwovens Incorporated into Chitosan/Graphene Materials Hydrogels to Form Novel Hierarchical Scaffolds

“…However, hydrogels often show poor mechanical properties that deviate from those of bone tissue. There are many methods to modify the physicochemical properties of hydrogels, such as the incorporation of appropriate nanofillers [15][16][17] or the use of various types of cross-linkers [18].…”

Biomedical Nanotechnology Related Grand Challenges and Perspectives

“…This area of research explores new bio-mimic biomaterials that are constructed to minimize the effect of tissue injury and artificial organ issues. However, exploring the fundamental understanding of biomaterial-organ interaction behavior and strategies of scaling up these biomaterials, along with federal approval for clinical application is the suggested future approach (Vashist et al, 2016(Vashist et al, , 2018bSharma et al, 2019). e) Nanotechnology assisted drug delivery systems have demonstrated site-specific delivery and drug release to manage targeted diseases.…”