Carbon nanotube-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite for DNA complexation

This communication reports that a plasmid DNA molecule could spontaneously interact with hydroxyapatite (HA) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs-HA) in water-solute environment. Gel electrophoresis, UV absorption, FT-IR, and Raman spectra were used to characterize MWNTs-HA/DNA complexes. AFM and TEM images revealed that DNA induces the de-aggregation of MWNTs-HA. Our preliminary study suggests that the plasmid DNA significantly interacted with MWNTs-HA, and formed the stable complex, and could find the application in nanotechnology for gene delivery system.