V Raffa et al 2009 Nanotechnology 20 075104 doi:10.1088/0957-4484/20/7/075104
V Raffa, G Ciofani and A Cuschieri
Show affiliationsBoron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are a structural analogue of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with alternating B and N atoms which entirely substitute for C atoms in a graphitic-like sheet with almost no change in atomic spacing. BNNTs have generated considerable interest within the scientific community by virtue of their unique properties. Very recently, biomedical applications of BNNTs have also been proposed. In the present in vitro study, we demonstrate that BNNTs can be used as nanotools to enable cell electropermeabilization with very low electric fields (40–60 V cm−1). An explanation of this behaviour based on the dielectric response of BNNTs to static electric fields is proposed.
87.85.Qr Nanotechnologies-design
Issue 7 (18 February 2009)
Received 23 September 2008, in final form 10 December 2008
Published 23 January 2009
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