3-dimensional direct observation of single-walled carbon nanotubes distribution in living cells
Abstract
We present the direct observation in three dimensions (3D) of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in living cells via confocal microraman imaging. In contrast to current method which attaches fluorescent molecules to the SWNT, we have utilized the strong Raman signal coming the nanotubes to observe the SWNT distribution in a living cell by a confocal microscope. SWNTs functionalized by 1% F127 are able to penetrate the cell membrane but not the nuclear membrane. The SWNTs stays in the cytoplasm with no preferential distribution. Clustering is seen at low concentrations while an almost uniform distribution is observed for prolonged culturing time.