F.R. Marciano

Graphene and carbon nanotube composite enabling a new prospective treatment for trichomoniasis disease

We report the synthesis and application of novel graphene oxide and carbon nanotube oxide (GCN-O) composite. First, pristine multi-walled carbon nanotube was prepared by chemical vapour deposition furnace and then exfoliated and oxidised simultaneously by oxygen plasma etching. The superficial and volumetric compositions of GCN-O were measured by XPS spectroscopy and EDX spectroscopy, respectively. Both XPS and EDX analyses evidence that the GCN-O is composed of up to 20% of oxygen atoms. As a result, GCN-O forms a stable colloidal aqueous solution and shows to have strong interaction with the cell membrane of Tritrichomonas foetus protozoa, making easy its application as a drug carrier. Trichomoniasis infection of cattle is a devastating disease for cattle producers, causing some damages to females and fetus, and the abortion is the most serious result of this disease. There is no effective treatment for trichomoniasis infection yet. Therefore, new treatment, especially one with no collateral effects in animals, is required. With this goal in mind, our results suggest that water dispersible composite is a novel nanomaterial, promising for Trichomoniasis infection treatment and as therapeutic delivery agent as well.

Graphene oxide nanoribbons as nanomaterial for bone regeneration: Effects on cytotoxicity, gene expression and bactericidal effect

Graphene oxide nanoribbons (O-GNR) surges as an interesting nanomaterial for biomedical applications due to feasibility to incorporate functional groups and possible bactericidal properties. Herein, high concentrations of O-GNR were biologically evaluated using human osteoblast cells and gram positive and negative bacteria. Briefly, our goal were to evaluate: (1) synthetic pathway, (2) characterization and (3) effects of O-GNR composition and structural factors as a new approach for biomedical applications. For this, O-GNR were produced combining chemical vapor deposition and oxygen plasma treatment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Then, we analyzed the bioactivity, cell viability, osteogenic differentiation, matrix mineralization, mRNA levels of the five genes related direct to bone repair and bactericidal effect of high concentrations of O-GNR (10μgmL-1, 100μgmL-1, 200μgmL-1 and 300μgmL-1). Impressively, O-GNR showed no cytotoxic effects up to a concentration of 100μgmL-1 and no gene expression alteration when used in its dose. We also observed that S. aureus and E. coli bacteria are susceptible to damage when incubated with 100μgmL-1 of O-GNR, showing approximately 50% of bacterial death. We consider that O-GNR displays attractive properties when used at a suitable dose, displaying bactericidal effect and apparently lacking to cause damages in the bone repair process.

Nanostructured poly (lactic acid) electrospun fiber with high loadings of TiO2 nanoparticles: Insights into bactericidal activity and cell viability.

Researchers have been looking for modifying surfaces of polymeric biomaterials approved by FDA to obtain nanofeatures and bactericidal properties. If modified, it would be very interesting because the antibiotic administration could be reduced and, therefore, the bacterial resistance. Here, we report the electrospinning of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with high loadings of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2, 1-5wt%) and their bactericidal properties. TiO2 nanoparticles have been recognized for a long time for their antibacterial, low cost and self-cleaning properties. However, their ability to reduce bacteria functions when used in polymers has not been well studied to date. In this context, we aimed here to generate nanostructured PLA electrospun fiber-TiO2 nanoparticle composites for further evaluation of their bactericidal activity and cell viability. TEM and SEM micrographs revealed the successful electrospinning of PLA/TiO2 and the generation of polymer-TiO2 nanostructures. When increasing the TiO2 concentration, we observed a proportional increase in the nanoparticle density along the fiber and surface. The nanostructured PLA/TiO2 nanofibers showed no mammalian cell toxicity and, most importantly, possessed bactericidal activity with higher TiO2 loads. Such results suggest that the present PLA electrospun fiber-TiO2 nanoparticle composites should be further studied for a wide range of biomedical applications.

Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes/Carbon Fiber Composites for Electrochemical Applications

Carbon fibers have been studied for electrochemical applications. Recently, carbon nanotubes present a wide potential uses in electric, mechanic, electrochemical and materials science field. At present study, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes were produced over carbon fibers. The process occurs catalytically by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using mixture with camphor and ferrocene. After that, the VACNT/CF composite are treated by oxygen plasma for oxygen functionalization. Prior the electrochemical analysis, CNT/Carbon fibers are treated by hydrochloric acid to remove residual catalyst. The electrodes were tested in a usual electrolyte (with H2SO4 0.5M) in a conventional electrochemical cell. The specific capacitance was tested in a separate device. The configuration of carbon fibers and VACNT presents a high potential application for electro analytical application and energy storage.

Polypyrrole increases branching and neurite extension by Neuro2A cells on PBAT ultrathin fibers

We present a methodology for production and application of electrospun hybrid materials containing commercial polyester (poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate; PBAT), and a conductive polymer (polypyrrole; PPy) as scaffold for neuronal growth and differentiation. The physical-chemical properties of the scaffolds and optimization of the electrospinning parameters are presented. The electrospun scaffolds are biocompatible and allow proper adhesion and spread of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Fibers produced with PBAT with or without PPy were used as scaffold for Neuro2a mouse neuroblastoma cells adhesion and differentiation. Neuro2a adhered to PBAT and PBAT/PPy2% scaffolds without laminin coating. However, Neuro2a failed to differentiate in PBAT when stimulated by treatment with retinoic acid (RA), but differentiated in PBAT/PPy2% fibers. We hypothesize that PBAT hydrophobicity inhibited proper spreading and further differentiation, and inhibition was overcome by coating the PBAT fibers with laminin. We conclude that fibers produced with the combination of PBAT and PPy can support neuronal differentiation.

The Influence of Titanium Dioxide on Diamond-Like Carbon Biocompatibility for Dental Applications

The physical and chemical characteristics of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films make them suitable for implantable medical and odontological interests. Despite their good interactions with biological environment, incorporated nanoparticles can significantly enhance DLC properties. This manuscript studies the potential of titanium dioxide (TiO2) incorporated-DLC films in dental applications. In this scene, both osteoblasts attachment and spreading on the coatings and their corrosion characteristics in artificial saliva were investigated. The films were grown on 304 stainless steel substrates using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Raman scattering spectroscopy characterized the film structure. As the concentration of TiO2 increased, the films increased the osteoblast viability (MTT assay), becoming more thermodynamically favorable to cell spreading (WAd values became more negative). The increasing number of osteoblast nuclei indicates a higher adhesion between the cells and the films. The potentiodynamic polarization test in artificial saliva shows an increase in corrosion protection when TiO2 are present. These results show the potential use of TiO2-DLC films in implantable surfaces.

Electric Double Layer Capacitor of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes under Different Degree of Acid Oxidations

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are a material with unique properties (mechanical, electrical, electrochemical, etc) allied with low density and high specific area. The present paper studied the electrochemical properties of carbon nanotubes growth by Chemical Vapor Depostion (CVD) technique. The samples were characterized by SEM, Raman Spectroscopy and the double layer capacitance of the powders was evaluated in a Teflon capacitor system with a Ag/AgCl (3M) as reference electrode. The catalyst remotion is provided in Hydrochloric acid washing and the wet oxidative treatments promotes the CNT oxidation and increase the pseudocapacitive response.