Surface Modified Halloysite Nanotubes: A Promising Drug Delivery Carrierfor Cancer Therapy

In the present study, surface modification was done on halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to concurrently prolong theirblood circulation and improve their cell internalization. To this end, a block copolymer of polyacrylic acid (PAA)and polyaniline (PANI) was grafted on HNT surface. The polymer synthesis was done with a combination ofreversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and oxidative polymerizations. Chemical characterizationcorroborated the successful grafting of copolymer on HNT surface. Morphological observation showed that surfacemodified HNTs had rod-like morphology and average diameter of ۴۰ nm. Thermal study verified that ۶۰%copolymer was grafted on HNT surface.

کلیدواژه ها:

Polymer synthesis ، Polymer characterization ، Halloysite nanotubes ، Polyacrylic acid ، Polyaniline