Interaction between the boron nitride nanotube and biological molecules

By calculating the interaction between boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) and a variety of biological molecules, including amino acids and nitrogenous bases that are part of a nucleotide, using density functional theory, we conclude that there is no bonding or chemical adsorption between the wide band-gap BNNT and the biological molecules considered. This weak interaction suggests that BNNTs may be used as a safe nanoscale channel for transporting biological molecules.