Functionalized carbon nanotubes （CNTs） were made for the delivery of genes and drugs and CNT-based biosensors. The basis of CNTs is for binding with biomolecules in biomedical applications. The binding tendency with small interfering RNA oligonucleotides and cytotoxicity of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide （CTAB）-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWNTs） were studied. The field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results show that a SWNT suspension in CTAB solution was well-dispersed and stable. CTAB is the cross-linker between SWNTs and oligonucleotides. The CTAB-coated SWNTs have less cytotoxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells than single SWNTs and the cytotoxicity of CTAB-coated SWNTs depended on the concentration of CTAB-coated SWNTs.
