Recent advances in bioactive 1D and 2D carbon nanomaterials for biomedical applications

Owing to their unique mechanical, electrical and optical properties, carbon nanomaterials have gained growing interest as novel materials to be used in biomedical research as well as other fields. In this article, we review recent methods for synthesis, purification and tools to increase solubility and further bio-functionality of one and two-dimensional carbon nanomaterials; carbon nanotubes and graphene derivatives. We also overview their use in biomedical field, by discussing their biocompatibility and presenting recent applications as biomaterials for tissue regeneration, drug delivery, biosensing and bioimaging.484