Aneta Fraczek-Szczypta

Carbon nanomaterials for nerve tissue stimulation and regeneration.

Nanotechnology offers new perspectives in the field of innovative medicine, especially for reparation and regeneration of irreversibly damaged or diseased nerve tissues due to lack of effective self-repair mechanisms in the peripheral and central nervous systems (PNS and CNS, respectively) of the human body. Carbon nanomaterials, due to their unique physical, chemical and biological properties, are currently considered as promising candidates for applications in regenerative medicine. This chapter discusses the potential applications of various carbon nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, nanofibers and graphene for regeneration and stimulation of nerve tissue, as well as in drug delivery systems for nerve disease therapy.

Some observations on carbon nanotubes susceptibility to cell phagocytosis

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on cell phagocytosis. Three kinds of carbon nanotubes: single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and ultralong single-walled carbon nanotubes (ULSWCNTs) before and after additional chemical functionalization were seeded with macrophage cell culture. Prior to biological testing, the CNTs were subjected to dispersion process with the use of phosphate buffered solution (PBS) and PBS containing surfactant (Tween 20) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The results indicate that the cells interaction with an individual nanotube is entirely different as compared to CNTs in the form of aggregate. The presence of the surfactant favors the CNTs dispersion in culture media and facilitates phagocytosis process, while it has disadvantageous influence on cells morphology. The cells phagocytosis is a more effective for MWCNTs and SWCNHs after their chemical functionalization. Moreover, these nanotubes were well dispersed in culture media without using DMSO or surfactant. The functionalized carbon nanotubes were easily dispersed in pure PBS and seeded with cells.

Carbon nanotube-based coatings on titanium

This paper reports results of the modification of titanium surface with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The Ti samples were covered with CNTs via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process. Prior to EPD process, CNTs were functionalized by chemical treatment. Mechanical, electrochemical and biological properties of CNT-covered Ti samples were studied and compared to those obtained for unmodified titanium surface. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the surface topography. To determine micromechanical characteristics of CNT-covered metallic samples indentation tests were conducted. Throughout electrochemical studies were performed in order to characterize the impact of the coating on the corrosion of titanium substrate. In vitro experiments were conducted using the human osteoblast NHOst cell line. CNT layers shielded titanium from corrosion gave the surface-enhanced biointegrative properties. Cells proliferated better on the modified surface in comparison to unmodified titanium. The deposited layer enhanced cell adhesion and spreading as compared to titanium sample.

Study of the Carbonization and Graphitization of Coal Tar Pitch Modified with SiC Nanoparticles

Silicon carbide nanoparticles (nSiC) have been used to modify coal tar pitch (CTP) as a carbon binder. The influence of ceramic nanoparticles on the structure and microstructure was studied. The structure of CTP-based carbon residue with various nSiC contents was analyzed by using SEM with EDAX, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The effect of ceramic nanofiller on the crystallite sizes (, ) and the -axis spacing () in carbonized samples after heating from 1000 to 2800°C was analyzed. Ceramic nanofillers inhibit structural changes in carbonized samples heated to 1000°C. After heating CTP with nSiC above 2000°C, the carbon samples contained two carbon components differing in structural ordering. Ceramic nanoparticles increase carbon crystallite growth, while their impact on the -axis spacing is low.

Polymer Nanocomposite Scaffolds Modified with Carbon Nanotubes for Tissue Regeneration

Among the many applications of polylactide (PLA) in medicine, one of the most famous is porous scaffold for bone and cartilage regeneration. A new direction in the development of biodegradable polymer scaffolds is their modification using different types of nanoadditives. One type of these nanomaterials could be carbon nanotubes (CNT), which could influence the mechanical, electrical, physicochemical and biological properties of polymer matrices. Porous nanocomposite scaffolds were prepared using different techniques, such as salt leaching and a combination of salt leaching and gas foaming techniques. The bioactivity of MWCNTs was determined through their incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF) and verified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The best concentration of nanoadditives in the polymer matrices was evaluated on the basis of mechanical and in vitro tests of nanocomposite films using a universal testing machine (Zwick) and osteoblast-like human cells (MG63). The morphology, porosity and mechanical properties of the porous scaffold before and after modification with MWCNTs were evaluated using SEM, hydrostatic weighing and a universal test machine.

Haemocompatibility and cytotoxic studies of non-metallic composite materials modified with magnetic nano and microparticles

PURPOSE Preventing the formation of blood clots on the surface of biomaterials and investigation of the reasons of their formation are the leading topics of the research and development of biomaterials for implants placed into the bloodstream. Biocompatibility and stability of a material in body fluids and direct effect on blood cell counts components are related both to the structure and physico-chemical state of an implant surface. The aim of this study was to determine haemocompatibility and cytotoxicity of polysulfone-based samples containing nano and micro particles of magnetite (Fe3O4). METHODS The polysulfone-based samples modified with nanometric and micrometric magnetite particles were examined. Physicochemical properties of the composites were determined by testing their wettability and surface roughness. The action of haemolytic, activation of coagulation system and cytotoxicity of composites was evaluated. RESULTS Wettability and roughness of materials were correlated with nanoparticles and microparticles content. In the tests of plasma coagulation system shortening of activated partial thromboplastin time for polysulfone with nano magnetite and with micro magnetite particles was observed in comparison with pure polysulfone. Prothrombine time and thrombine time values as well as fibrinogen concentration were unchanged. Haemolysis values were normal. Morphology and viability of cells were normal. CONCLUSIONS Composites made from polysulfone modified with nanoparticles and microparticles of magnetite cause neither haemolytic nor cytotoxic reaction. These composites evoke plasma endogenous system activation.

Efficiency testing of artificial neural networks in predicting the properties of carbon nanomaterials as potential systems for nervous tissue stimulation and regeneration

Abstract A new method of predicting the properties of carbon nanomaterials from carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide, using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on a metal surface, was investigated. The main goal is to obtain the basis for nervous tissue stimulation and regeneration. Because of the many variations of the EPD method, costly and time-consuming experiments are necessary for optimization of the produced systems. To limit such costs and workload, we propose a neural network-based model that can predict the properties of selected carbon nanomaterial systems before they are produced. The choice of neural networks as predictive learning models is based on many studies in the literature that report neural models as good interpretations of real-life processes. The use of a neural network model can reduce experimentation with unpromising methods of systems processing and preparation. Instead, it allows a focus on experiments with these systems, which are promising according to the prediction given by the neural model. The performed tests showed that the proposed method of predictive learning of carbon nanomaterial properties is easy and effective. The experiments showed that the prediction results were consistent with those obtained in the real system.

Organosilicon resin-based carbon/ceramic polygranular composites with improved oxidation resistance

We examined the thermo-mechanical properties of carbon materials modified with silicon oxycarbide (Si-O-C) and silicon carbide (Si-C). These compounds were obtained by the impregnation of carbon components with a silicon-containing polymer resin. Graphite and anthracite powders were used as carbon components, and poly[methyl(phenyl) siloxane] resin (P) was used as the ceramic precursor. Carbon/polymer compositions (C/P) were subjected to two-stage annealing, first to 1,000 °C and next to 2,000 °C in an inert atmosphere, leading to the formation of C/Si-O-C and C/Si-C composite samples, respectively. The materials were then examined under conditions of isothermal oxidation to determine their oxidation resistance and the mechanical properties before and after oxidation tests. The structure of the samples before and after oxidation was studied. C/Si-C composites, despite their high porosity, proved to have enhanced resistance to oxidation at 600 °C, although they had lower mechanical properties in comparison to C/Si-O-C samples.

Polysulphone composite membranes modified with two types of carbon additives as a potential material for bone tissue regeneration

This study presents a detailed evaluation of the impact of carbon fibrous materials on the physicochemical properties of polysulphone (PSU) membranes and their preliminary osteoblast-like cells response in vitro. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and short carbon fibres (SCFs) were incorporated into PSU and membranes were produced by the phase inversion method. Then, the physicochemical properties of the membranes’ surface were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate microstructure and porosity. Surface properties such as roughness, wettability and surface energy were evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact profilometry and a goniometer, respectively. The presence of carbon fibrous additives in the PSU matrix improved its hydrophilicity. Porosity and topography of the PSU membranes were also changed upon incorporation of carbon additives. The mechanical properties of the PSU membranes were improved after SCF addition. All physicochemical properties of the obtained composite membranes had significant impact on the osteoblast-like cells response. Preliminary viability tests indicated biocompatibility of all membranes.