Functionalized carbon nanomaterials for biomedical imaging

Functionalized carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, graphene quantum dots, and their derivatives possess versatile chemical and physical properties including thermal, mechanical, electrical, optical, and structural diversity. Functionalized carbon nanomaterials have been widely utilized for biomedical applications (both therapeutics and diagnostics). Due to their optical properties in the near-infrared region, carbon nanomaterials are used for imaging. The poor water solubility of carbon nanomaterials means that they are surface functionalized for multifunctional activities to tune their properties. To render carbon nanomaterials passive, nontoxic, and water-soluble, these materials are functionalized. The low toxicity and enhanced cellular internalization capability mean that carbon nanomaterials are functionalized with water-soluble/water-insoluble drugs for biological imaging and they act as next-generation materials. High emission properties elicit functionalized carbon nanomaterials as an efficient fluorescent probe for in vitro imaging (biosensing, drug delivery and cancer therapy). This chapter provides insights about the different types, synthesis, characterization techniques, functionalization approaches, and applications of drug-loaded carbon nanomaterials for imaging. Special emphasis is placed on the techniques employed in carbon nanomaterial-based biological imaging using animal imaging system. Additionally, the process challenges of using functionalized carbon nanomaterials for imaging are discussed.