Efficient disentanglement of boron nitride nanotubes using water-soluble polysaccharides for protein immobilization

We report that efficiently disentangled boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) can be obtained due to functionalization in an aqueous solution with a natural water-soluble polysaccharide, gum arabic (GA). An atomic force microscopy study showed excellent dispersion of GA-functionalized BNNTs in the aqueous phase. Fluorescent, ultraviolet, and infrared absorption spectroscopies revealed the strong interactions between GA and the sidewalls of BNNTs. Subsequently, several functional proteins were successfully immobilized onto the surfaces of GA-functionalized BNNTs via strong electrostatic interactions under suitable pH conditions.