The easy and scalable synthesis, biocompatibility, one-dimensionality, high aspect ratio, viability for surface modifications, and the ability for cargo-loading and release make organic nanotubes ideal candidates for smart coatings with slow and controlled release corrosion inhibitors and anti-biofouling agents. The wide-ranging applicability of organic nanotubes as controlled release nanocarriers for smart anti-corrosion and anti-biofouling coatings is foreseen.
Main body
Organic nanotubes, also called soft-matter nanotubes, have been in the research limelight in recent years for their potential applications in drug delivery, sensors, catalysts, hydro/organogels, optical devices, ferro/piezoelectrics, energy storage devices, biomarkers, micron-size engines, superhydrophobic surfaces, templates, and reinforcing materials. Compared to the one-dimensional inorganic peers, the flexibility of organic synthesis permits fine-tuning of their properties via specific chemical modifications. Their mechanical properties can be improved by different approaches such as covalent cross-linking and metal-ligand coordination1,2,3,4,5,6. Metal-organic nanotubes are a related group made through careful selection of metal ions and ligands7,8,9.
Self-assembled supramolecular assemblies10,11,12 are primarily investigated to develop organic nanotubes. The earlier reports on self-assembled lipid-based organic nanotubes from amphiphilic molecules date back to the 1980’s13,14,15. In liquid media, the formation kinetics can be controlled by tuning the molecular structure of the precursor chemicals and the solution parameters (concentration, solvents used, temperature, and pH)16,17. Plethora of information is available in the literature where nanotubes were reported from various organic compounds, including lipids, peptides, proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids, dyes, heterocycles, synthetic polymers, and other π-conjugated molecules1,18. Other than the spontaneous self-assembly, they can be made by different approaches such as template-based and pulsed electric field-assisted methods19.
Organic nanotubes are shown to be highly efficient for drug delivery20,21,22. They could efficiently exploit the tunable internal and external surfaces and the nanotube wall1. The most investigated organic nanotubes for drug delivery include lipids/bolaamphiphiles-based23, peptides24, and DNA25. Several other nanotubes based on macrocycles26, polyethylene glycol27, naphthalimide28, polydopamine29, and polyelectrolyte30 were also reported. Drug loading is typically achieved by simple physical encapsulation or chemical conjugation. The loading can be carried out by impregnating the nanotubes in a suitable cargo solution, or the nanotube assembly could be performed in an optimized solution containing the cargo material. The loading and release meticulously vary with the aspect ratio of the nanotubes. The aspect ratio of the nanotubes could be regulated by precise selection and optimization of the assembling organic components.
On the other side, corrosion and biofouling are the two critical problems causing material destruction and economic loss. Protective coatings and corrosion inhibitors/anti-biofouling agents are the most economical and practical approaches to control these destructive events. Recent years have witnessed significant developments in on-demand slow-release smart coatings. Compared to the conventional active corrosion protection (by the embedded inhibitors in the coating matrix) offered by the protective barrier coatings, a smart coating normally employs inhibitors/anti-biofouling agents loaded onto nanocarriers, facilitating the on-demand release of the encapsulants, providing self-healing effect. A smart coating typically relies on supramolecular chemistry-based extrinsic/intrinsic self-healing. The intrinsic self-healing depends on the inherent covalent/non-covalent interactions within the polymer coating matrix, whereas the extrinsic self-healing utilizes external added nano/microcarriers loaded with corrosion inhibitors/anti-biofouling agents. The release is typically triggered by changes in the environment such as pH variation due to localized corrosion events, releasing the encapsulants and self-healing the damages. Due to the dynamics of non-covalent interactions, supramolecules and assemblies can undergo reversible switching of structure, morphology and function in response to external stimuli31.
The organic nanocarriers have high significance as the current greener resolutions are demanding more and more strictest measures. Proper synthesis methods and functionalization could optimize the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the organic nanotubes. Hydrophilic organic nanotubes could be utilized in delivering relatively hydrophobic corrosion inhibitors. Polymer-organic nanotubes conjugates32,33, could combine the slow-release property of the nanotubes and the superior protective effect of polymeric inhibitors/anti-biofouling agents. Covalent/non-covalent conjugation of water-soluble polymers to organic nanotubes is beneficial to regulate the nanotubes’ size and functionality and reduce the aggregation tendency34,35,36. They have several application potentials related to corrosion and biofouling R&D (Fig. 1).
A scheme showing the application potentials.
Nanotubes could be fabricated directly from amphiphilic heterocyclic compounds having corrosion inhibition/anti-biofouling effect. They could be further used to load synergistic co-inhibitors for controlled release. Here, both the nanotubes and the encapsulants provide the protective effect. A bioactive coating with incorporated lipid or peptide nanotubes carrying biocompatible corrosion inhibitors can be an attractive approach to extend the life of a biodegradable implant to the desired extent.
Hydrogels of organic nanotubes are an essential topic to be explored. Here, the individual organic nanotubes and the gel system can participate in the cargo-loading and release. Nanotube’s reinforcement is also beneficial to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogels37. They are particularly attractive for applications in anti-biofouling surfaces and slippery liquid infused porous surfaces.
Organic nanotubes based on dynamic covalent chemistry can provide a more robust platform. Organic nanotubes fabricated via hard templates such as anodized aluminium oxide27, or other non-self-assembled strategies can provide several advantages over their inorganic and carbon nanostructures-based one-dimensional counterparts. Figure 2 shows a potential list of components for loading/conjugation with the nanotubes for smart anti-corrosion/anti-biofouling coatings applications.
A potential list of components for loading/conjugation with organic nanotubes.
Promising successes of using organic nanotubes in diverse applications have shown that these biocompatible materials could be widely explored in the domain of corrosion and biofouling, despite these assemblies facing many real engineering challenges that need to be solved.
Methods
The information presented was accessed from authentic scientific sources, analyzed, and discussed.
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.
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No custom code or mathematical algorithms were associated with this work.
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The support and fund provided by the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, is greatly acknowledged.
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Saji, V.S. Organic nanotubes for smart anticorrosion and antibiofouling coatings. npj Mater Degrad 6, 30 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-022-00243-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-022-00243-3
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