Preparation of hybrid nanomaterials by supramolecular interactions between dendritic polymers and carbon nanotubes

Polyamidoamine-poly(ethylene glycol)-polyamidoamine (PAMAM-PEG-PAMAM) ABA type linear-dendritic copolymers were synthesized and their non-covalent interactions with the surface of acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated. The morphology (conformation) of the carbon nanotubes was changed from extended toward closed state upon non-covalent interactions with the linear-dendritic copolymers, and liposome-like nanocapsules (LLNs) were formed. The size and shape of LLNs were dependent strongly on the type of dendritic blocks of the linear-dendritic copolymers. Since a major reason for the carcinogenicity of carbon nanotubes is their long length (comparable to asbestos fibers), their circle-type morphologies could be considered as safer drug delivery systems. Therefore the ability of LLNs to load and deliver anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) was evaluated.