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Advances in Carbon Nanotubes–Hydrogel Hybrids in Nanomedicine for Therapeutics
Author(s) -
Vashist Arti,
Kaushik Ajeet,
Vashist Atul,
Sagar Vidya,
Ghosal Anujit,
Gupta Y. K.,
Ahmad Sharif,
Nair Madhavan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201701213
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , nanotechnology , carbon nanotube , nanomedicine , biocompatibility , materials science , tissue engineering , drug delivery , biomedical engineering , nanoparticle , engineering , polymer chemistry , metallurgy
In spite of significant advancement in hydrogel technology, low mechanical strength and lack of electrical conductivity have limited their next‐level biomedical applications for skeletal muscles, cardiac and neural cells. Host–guest chemistry based hybrid nanocomposites systems have gained attention as they completely overcome these pitfalls and generate bioscaffolds with tunable electrical and mechanical characteristics. In recent years, carbon nanotube (CNT)‐based hybrid hydrogels have emerged as innovative candidates with diverse applications in regenerative medicines, tissue engineering, drug delivery devices, implantable devices, biosensing, and biorobotics. This article is an attempt to recapitulate the advancement in synthesis and characterization of hybrid hydrogels and provide deep insights toward their functioning and success as biomedical devices. The improved comparative performance and biocompatibility of CNT–hydrogels hybrids systems developed for targeted biomedical applications are addressed here. Recent updates toward diverse applications and limitations of CNT hybrid hydrogels is the strength of the review. This will provide a holistic approach toward understanding of CNT‐based hydrogels and their applications in nanotheranostics.