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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Synthesis and Functionalization of Nitrogen-doped Carbon Nanotube Cups with Gold Nanoparticles as Cork Stoppers
Published on: May 13, 2013
Boron nitride nanotubes are noncytotoxic and can be functionalized for interaction with proteins and cells
Xing Chen1, Peng Wu, Michael Rousseas
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Abstract:
We report the discovery that boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), isosteres of CNTs with unique physical properties, are inherently noncytotoxic. Furthermore, we developed a biomemetic coating strategy to interface BNNTs with proteins and cells. Finally, we showed that BNNTs can deliver DNA oligomers to the interior of cells with no apparent toxicity. This work suggests that BNNTs may be superior to CNTs for use as biological probes and in biomaterials.

