Removal of Uranium and Associated Contaminants from Aqueous Solutions Using Functional Carbon Nanotubes-Sodium Alginate Conjugates

Magnetic induction heating and drug release properties of magnetic carbon nanotubes

AIM

The use of magnetic carbon nanotubes for multi-modal cancer treatment, incorporating both hyperthermia and drug delivery functions, has drawn substantial interest. Yet, the present method of regulating hyperthermia temperature involves manually adjusting the magnetic field intensity, adding to the complexity and difficulty of clinical applications. This study seeks to design novel magnetic carbon nanotubes capable of self-temperature regulation, and investigate their drug loading and release characteristics.

METHODS

Using the co-precipitation method, we synthesized magnetic carbon nanotubes with a Curie temperature of 43 °C. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to analyze their morphology, crystal structure, and magnetic characteristics. To enhance their functionality, chitosan and sodium alginate modifications were introduced, enabling the loading of the antitumor drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) into these magnetic carbon nanotubes. Subsequently, the loading and release properties of DOX were investigated within the modified magnetic nanotubes.

RESULTS

Under alternating magnetic field, magnetic carbon nanotubes exhibit self-regulating properties by undergoing a magnetic phase transition, maintaining temperatures around 43 °C as required for hyperthermia. On the other hand, during magnetic induction heating, the release percentage of DOX reached 23.5% within 2 h and 71.7% within 70 h at tumor pH conditions, indicating their potential for sustained drug release.

CONCLUSIONS

The prepared magnetic carbon nanotubes can effectively regulate the temperature during hyperthermia treatment while ensuring controlled drug release, which presents a promising method for preparing nanomaterials that synergistically enhance magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy drugs.

Progresses in lignin, cellulose, starch, chitosan, chitin, alginate, and gum/carbon nanotube (nano)composites for environmental applications: A review

Water sources are becoming increasingly scarce, and they are contaminated by industrial, residential, and agricultural waste-derived organic and inorganic contaminants. These contaminants may pollute the air, water, and soil in addition to invading the ecosystem. Because carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can undergo surface modification, they can combine with other substances to create nanocomposites (NCs), including biopolymers, metal nanoparticles, proteins, and metal oxides. Furthermore, biopolymers are significant classes of organic materials that are widely used for various applications. They have drawn attention due to their benefits such as environmental friendliness, availability, biocompatibility, safety, etc. As a result, the synthesis of a composite made of CNT and biopolymers can be very effective for a variety of applications, especially those involving the environment. In this review, we reported environmental applications (including removal of dyes, nitro compounds, hazardous materialsو toxic ions, etc.) of composites made of CNT and biopolymers such as lignin, cellulose, starch, chitosan, chitin, alginate, and gum. Also, the effect of different factors such as the medium pH, the pollutant concentration, temperature, and contact time on the adsorption capacity (AC) and the catalytic activity of the composite in the reduction or degradation of various pollutants has been systematically explained.

Carbon-based nanocomposite materials with multifunctional attributes for environmental remediation of emerging pollutants

Carbon-based materials are among the most biosynthesized nanocomposites with excellent tunability and multifunctionality features, that other materials fail to demonstrate. Naturally occurring materials, such as alginate (Alg), can be combined and modified by linking the active moieties of various carbon-based materials of interest, such as graphene oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and mesoporous silica nanocomposite (MSN), among others. Thus, several types of robust nanocomposites have been fabricated and deployed for environmental remediation of emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceutical compounds, toxic dyes, and other environmentally hazardous contaminants of emerging concern. Considering the above critiques and added features of carbon-based nanocomposites, herein, an effort has been made to spotlight the synergies of GO, CNTs, and MSN with Alg and their role in mitigating emerging pollutants. From the information presented in this work, it can be concluded that Alg is a material that has excellent potential. However, its use still requires further tests in different areas and other materials to carry out a holistic investigation that exploits its versatility for environmental remediation purposes.

Alginate-based composites for environmental applications: A critical review

Alginate-based composites have been extensively studied for applications in energy and environmental sectors due to their biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost-effective properties. This review is designed to provide an overview of the synthesis and application of alginate-based composites. In addition to an overview of current understanding of alginate biopolymer, gelation process, and cross-linking mechanisms, this work focuses on adsorption mechanisms and performance of different alginate-based composites for the removal of various pollutants including dyes, heavy metals, and antibiotics in water and wastewater. While encapsulation in alginate gel beads confers protective benefits to engineered nanoparticles, carbonaceous materials, cells and microbes, alginate-based composites typically exhibit enhanced adsorption performance. The physical and chemical properties of alginate-based composites determine the effectiveness under different application conditions. A series of alginate-based composites and their physicochemical and sorptive properties have been summarized. This critical review not only summarizes recent advances in alginate-based composites but also presents a perspective of future work for their environmental applications.