On the design and properties of scaffolds based on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes transferred onto electrospun poly (lactic acid) fibers

Author(s)

Rodrigues, Bruno V. M. ; Razzino, Claudia A. ; Oliveira, Francilio de Carvalho ; Marciano, Fernanda R. ; Lobo, Anderson O.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATERIALS & DESIGN; v. 127, p. 10-pg., 2017-08-05.

Abstract

Herein, we propose the design of a nanoscaffold based on the hot-press transfer of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (VAMWCNT) onto matrices of electrospun poly (lactic acid) (PLA) fibers. To this end, we created a three-dimensional, bioactive and electrically conductive scaffold that combines the potential of PLA as a biomaterial with the physical-chemical and biological properties of VAMWCNT (PLA/VAMWCNT). Given the well-known hydrophobicity of carbon nanotubes, oxygen-plasma functionalization was applied to the scaffolds in order to attach oxygen-containing groups to their surfaces, with the plasma treatment also responsible for the exfoliation of the VAMWCNT's tips. After plasma-functionalization, electrochemical measurements showed that our scaffold presented an increased electroactive area (1.5-fold) with a k value of 6.87 x 10(-3) cm(-s) confirming its applicability as an electrode. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated the feasibility of electrodepositing nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) crystals onto this nanoarchitectured material, improving its biomimetic and bioactive features. Preliminary biological assays revealed the viability of primary human osteoblast cells cultivated onto the PLA/VAMWCNT-nHAp scaffolds. This investigation has shed light on a practical approach to produce 3D scaffolds by transferring VAMWCNT onto electrospun polymeric matrices. These novel materials may represent promising alternatives for future tissue engineering applications and thus should be studied further. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/09697-0 - Electrospinning of novel functional nanobiomaterials based on peptides and bottlebrush polymers for tissue engineering
• Grantee: Anderson de Oliveira Lobo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 16/00575-1 - Functional biomembranes based on peptides and bottlebrush polymers to tissue engineering
• Grantee: Fernanda Roberta Marciano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 15/08523-8 - Development of a fluorescent nanosensor from the electrospinning of PVA and graphene quantum dots: application in the detection of Alzheimer's biomarkers
• Grantee: Bruno Vinícius Manzolli Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 11/17877-7 - Development of new polymeric scaffolds by electrospinning technique with incorporation of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes and nanohidroxyapatite for bone tissue regeneration
• Grantee: Anderson de Oliveira Lobo
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants