Browsing by Author "Price, Brandi Katherine"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Functionalizations and biological applications of single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphite systems
    (2009) Price, Brandi Katherine; Tour, James M.
    Environmentally friendly solvents including water and ionic liquids have been used as a medium to functionalize singe-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Previously, in order to obtain individual functionalized SWCNTs, harsh chemicals or reaction conditions were necessary. The environmentally friendly solvents have now been demonstrated to yield individual and small bundles of SWCNTs by utilizing established diazonium chemistry in ionic liquids or water. The ionic liquid-based method has also been shown to be effective for functionalization of expanded graphite, which yields small stacks of graphite sheets only 7 nm in height, while dramatically increasing the dispersibility of the graphite in organic solvents. Aggressively oxidized and shortened, or ultra short SWCNTs (US-SWCNTs), have been used as the base material for many studies. US-SWCNTs were associated to polymers through acid/base interactions. The amine-based polymer was used to group together iron atoms and after subsequent processing, form a catalyst seed for SWCNT growth. The seeded US-SWCNTs were then shown to further grow in length under hydrocarbon feed conditions. US-SWCNTs have been used to produce a nanovector scaffold through PEGylation to produce PEG-US-SWCNTs. The PEG-US-SWCNT nanovector has been found to sequester fluorescent tags. The sequestered material was used in a multistage delivery system for therapeutics and imaging. The PEG-US-SWCNTs were discovered to also sequester proteins. The behavior of the proteins was analyzed and their activity in vitro was monitored. The proteins retained their activity and were shown to activate cell pathways.
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    Methods for preparation of graphene nanoribbons from carbon nanotubes and compositions- thin films and devices derived therefrom
    (2014-04-22) Tour, James M.; Kosynkin, Dmitry V.; Higginbotham, Amanda; Price, Brandi Katherine; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    Methods for producing macroscopic quantities of oxidized graphene nanoribbons are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes and reacting the plurality of carbon nanotubes with at least one oxidant to form oxidized graphene nanoribbons. The at least one oxidant is operable to longitudinally open the carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one acid. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one protective agent. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods for producing reduced graphene nanoribbons by reacting oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent. Oxidized graphene nanoribbons, reduced graphene nanoribbons and compositions and articles derived therefrom are also disclosed herein.
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    Water-soluble carbon nanotube compositions for drug delivery and medicinal applications
    (2014-07-22) Tour, James M.; Lucente-schultz, Rebecca; Leonard, Ashley; Kosynkin, Dmitry V.; Price, Brandi Katherine; Hudson, Jared L.; Conyers, Jodie L., Jr.; Moore, Valerie C.; Casscells, Ward S.; Myers, Jeffrey N.; Milas, Zvonimir L.; Mason, Kathy A.; Milas, Luka; Rice University; Board of Regents of the University of Texas System; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    Compositions comprising a plurality of functionalized carbon nanotubes and at least one type of payload molecule are provided herein. The compositions are soluble in water and PBS in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, the payload molecules are insoluble in water. Methods are described for making the compositions and administering the compositions. An extended release formulation for paclitaxel utilizing functionalized carbon nanotubes is also described.