Functional nanoparticle filled nanotubes and methods of their production

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes with a suspension or colloidal solution of functional nanoparticles and methods for production of carbon nanotubes loaded with functional nanoparticles are provided.

1 . A magnetic carbon nanotube comprising a hollow carbon nanotube at least partially filled with a suspension of magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         2 . The magnetic carbon nanotube of  claim 1  comprising a hollow carbon nanotube filled with a suspension of magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The carbon nanotube of  claim 2  wherein said hollow carbon nanotube is filled with a ferrofluid. 
     
     
         4 . A carbon nanotube comprising a hollow carbon nanotube filled with colloidal gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         5 . A carbon nanotube comprising a hollow carbon nanotube filled with non-metallic diamond nanoparticles. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic carbon nanotube of  claim 1 , further comprising a drug, a quantum dot, a polymer, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic carbon nanotube of  claim 6 , wherein the drug is capable of attacking a tumor. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic carbon nanotube of  claim 6 , wherein the quantum dot is capable of being optically detected. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic carbon nanotube of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer is biodegradable. 
     
     
         10 . A nanosubmarine, comprising the carbon nanotube of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are encapsulated within the carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         11 . The nanosubmarine comprising the carbon nanotube of  claim 10 , further comprising a drug, a quantum dot, a polymer, or any combination thereof, wherein the quantum dot, drug, or both are encapsulated within the carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         12 . The nanosubmarine of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are encapsulated within the carbon nanotube with a polymer. 
     
     
         13 . The nanosubmarine of  claim 12 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one polymer membrane adjacent to the magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         14 . The nanosubmarine of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one polymer membrane is adjacent to the quantum dots, the drugs, or both. 
     
     
         15 . The nanosubmarine of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are encapsulated within an inner portion of the carbon nanotube, and the quantum dots, drugs, or both, are encapsulated within one or both end portions of the carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         16 . The nanosubmarine of  claim 11 , wherein the both quantum dots and drugs are encapsulated within the carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         17 . The nanosubmarine of  claim 11 , wherein the quantum dots and drugs are encapsulated within the same portion of the carbon nanotube, a different portion of the carbon nanotube, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The nanosubmarine of  claim 11 , wherein the quantum dots, drugs, or both, are encapsulated within the carbon nanotube with a biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a nanosubmarine, comprising: filling a portion of an open carbon nanotube with magnetic nanoparticles, drugs, quantum dots, or any combination thereof; and encapsulating the magnetic nanoparticles, drugs, quantum dots, or any combination thereof, within the carbon nanotube with a polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the polymer is biodegradable. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles first fill a first portion of the carbon nanotube, and the drugs and quantum dots subsequently fill one or more separate portions of the carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the drugs are encapsulated in an end portion of the carbon nanotube with a biodegradable polymer.