Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Nanosyringes

Abstract

Functionalized nanoparticles and nanotubes may be able to target specific cells, become ingested and then release their contents in response to a chemical trigger. An alternative delivery mechanism, which may offer advantages in drug delivery is the use of a nanosyringe which pierces the cell membrane and injects molecules such as DNA or anticancer drugs directly into the cell. Here, we propose the use of double-walled carbon nanotubes as nanosyringes. By way of illustration we investigate the suction and expulsion mechanisms, using elementary mechanics and applied mathematical modeling techniques, for both a C₆₀ fullerene and the anticancer drug cisplatin, but similar calculations can be undertaken for any molecule. Some specific guidelines are formulated to assist medical scientists to facilitate nanosyringe development.