Galactosylated chitosan-grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes for pH-dependent sustained release and hepatic tumor-targeted delivery of doxorubicin in vivo

•Galactosylated chitosan grafted oxidized multi-wall carbon nanotubes was obtained.•O-CNTs-LCH-DOX displayed pH-dependent sustained release behavior.•The good biocompatibility and low toxicity of O-CNTs-LCH-DOX was demonstrated.•The fine in vitro and in vivo targeting efficiency of O-CNTs-LCH-DOX was confirmed.•O-CNTs-LCH-DOX showed higher antitumor activity in mice bearing H22 tumor.