A novel functionalization method for carbon nanotubes to repel ox-LDL in treatments after stent placement

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) can be chemically modified by doping or functionalization to change the chemical and surface properties. These characteristic makes to CNT candidates for multiple applications including medical field in cardiovascular area. A novel method to CNT functionalization by formation of two compounds: α-bromoacid and the organic compound 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), will be discussed in this article. According to results, CNT are suggested like candidates to repel oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) to prevent restenosis. The electronegative character on surface of functionalized CNT (F-CNT) is shown by wettability analysis observing a repellent behaviour in contact with ox-LDL after functionalization route. Here we analyse the toxicity of CNT and F-CNT on HepG2 cell line and find no damage to the cell membrane of HepG2 cells in concentration at doses below 1 mg/ml. - Highlights: • Carbon nanotubes, materials suggested like candidates to repel ox-LDL causative of cardiovascular diseases. • MPC functionalized CNT, a new route to repel ox-LDL. • MPC functionalized CNT increased repulsive behaviour with angles up to 135 grades in contact with ox-LDL. • CNT could be considered to medical applications in concentrations < 1mg/ml and diameters up to 60 nm.