Properties and cytotoxicity of metal encapsulating carbon nanocapsules (MECNCs).

Abstract

The metal-encapsulating carbon nanocapsules (MECNCs) which are several tens of nanometers in diameter and consist of a graphene sheet structure encapsulating a metallic carbide. MECNCs have a surface covered by a graphene sheet, so they have quite high chemical stability. In the capsule, lanthanide is usually encapsulated as a carbide. Therefore, MECNCs will provide higher imaging and tracing efficiencies as contrast agents or tracers. We prepared the various lanthanide containing MECNCs and their structural change in the purification was studied. MECNCs were oxidized with the heat treatment at 400C or higher, but MECNCs showed no change less than 400C. The cytotoxicity of MECNCs was also studied and no severe cytotoxicity was induced.