Carbon nanotubes in microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology: current trends and future perspectives

Abstract

Advanced nanomaterials such as carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) display unprecedented properties such as strength, electrical conductance, thermal stability, and intriguing optical properties. These properties of CNT allow construction of small microfluidic devices leading to miniaturization of analyses previously conducted on a laboratory bench. With dimensions of only millimeters to a few square centimeters, these devices are called lab-on-a-chip (LOC). A LOC device requires a multidisciplinary contribution from different fields and offers automation, portability, and high-throughput screening along with a significant reduction in reagent consumption. Today, CNT can play a vital role in many parts of a LOC such as membrane channels, sensors and channel walls. This review paper provides an overview of recent trends in the use of CNT in LOC devices and covers challenges and recent advances in the field. CNTs are also reviewed in terms of synthesis, integration techniques, functionalization and superhydrophobicity. In addition, the toxicity of these nanomaterials is reviewed as a major challenge and recent approaches addressing this issue are discussed.

Carbon Nanotubes: Smart Drug/Gene Delivery Carriers

“…In this regard, CNTs have been used as membrane channels, sensors and channel walls in LOC devices. [155] submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com…”

Carbon nanotube dielectrophoresis: Theory and applications

“…Separation and purification of SWNTs are also essential for their applications in self‐assembly, patterning, and biosensors [206,207]. The electrical frequency‐dependent DEP characteristics of SWNTs based on their chirality show promising potential for sorting and separation of SWNTs [208]. As mentioned earlier, based on chirality and structure, CNTs can be of semiconducting or metallic type and, different applications of SWNT require either metallic or semiconducting types.…”

Модификация Смачиваемости Углеродных Нанотрубок С Помощью Ионного Облучения

“…Управление смачиваемостью углеродных нанотрубок вплоть до получения супергидрофобности востребовано для создания устройств микрофлюидики типа " лаборатория на чипе" (lab-on-a-chip) [14]. Гидрофобные УНТ предлагают использовать для увеличения емкости современных аккумуляторов (например, литий-ионных батарей [15]) или создания суперконденсаторов [16], которые могут заменить в будущем привычные нам элементы питания.…”