The addition of carbon nanotubes modifies the biological, physicochemical, and electrical properties of carbon nanofiber composites

Anticancer and antibacterial properties of carbon nanotubes are governed by their functional groups

“…However, the same fibers were found to support cell growth at longer culture times. 18 A higher number of cells at day 3 of culture with HO, compared with HNH and LNH, indicated that HO is more cytocompatible than the amidized samples.…”

“…In our previous studies, similar results were observed when the same bacteria were directly seeded on the all-CNTs layers 17 or CNT modified fibers. 18 Hence, MDR–EC are suggested to be highly sensitive toward CNT surface chemistry, wherein carbon atoms with a +3 oxidation number, resulting in larger and more polar groups, are detrimental, and a successive modification with ammonia further boosts this effect.…”

“…Hence, these CNTs are characterized by a similar performance with cells and pathogens regardless of the form of contactwhether as layers, matrix additives, or administered in free-form, these CNTs are cytocompatible while still being able to effectively eradicate bacteria and kill cancer cells, at least under the conditions of this and previous studies. 17,18 Fig. 10 Antimicrobial properties of CNTs against MDR-EC and MRSA, as a function of increasing concentration.…”

“…17 The same differently functionalized CNTs embedded inside the carbon nanofibers (which could be regarded as highly defected, non-hollow versions of CNTs) also caused significant changes to their antibacterial properties. 18 Specifically, when deposited as layers or embedded inside the carbon nanofibers, CNTs with carbon at a +3 oxidation number (and their amidized derivatives) demonstrated the greatest cytocompatibility properties of all of the materials investigated, combined with the best antibacterial performance.…”