The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on carbon nanotubes solubility as drug delivery material for cancer with covalent functionalization

Currently, the development of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as drug delivery for targeted cancer cells with high efficiency and specificity without causing side effects has become one of the main topics in the nanomedicine. The solubility of CNT has limitations in meeting the standards of the Drug Delivery System (DDS). This study investigated the effect of the addition of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) on the solubility of functionalized CNT (f-CNT). The f-CNT was treated covalently using a mixture of acids (HNO3, H2SO4, and HCl). The variations were performed at sonication temperatures of 20, 40, and 60 °C. The best sonication temperature was in the f-CNT which had a high degree of suspension stability and did not damage the morphology of CNT. The f-CNT characterization was performed using Fourier infrared transformation spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), UV-Vis spectroscopy and dispersion tests. The f-CNT sonicated at a temperature of 40 °C with the addition of H2O2 (CS5) produced a purity level of 100%, less-damaged morphology and high suspension stability with an absorbance value of 0.661. The CS5 produced the longest dispersion time, more than 21 days with the highest degree of functionalization, 35.53%.