Electrostatic layer-by-layer assembled multilayer films of chitosan and carbon nanotubes

CARBON 48 (2010) 3974– 3977

3977

Characterization and biological behavior of a carbon fiber/carbon

Electrostatic layer-by-layer assembled multilayer films of chito-

composite scaffold with a porous surface for bone tissue

san and carbon nanotubes

reconstruction

Xiao-bo Li, Xiao-ying Jiang

Ning Caoa, Qiang-xiu Wangb, Jian-wen Dongc, Guang-zheng Haod, Mu-sen Lia a

China Department of Pathology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong

University, Ji’nan 250021, China c

The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shandong University of Chinese

Traditional Medicine, Ji’nan 250001, China d

Engineering, Xinxiang 453003, China

Key Laboratory for Liquid–Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of

Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Ji’nan 250061, b

Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry

Yantai Metallury Institute of New Materials, Yantai 264006, China

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were treated in 1:3 concentrated nitric–sulfuric acid to cut them into short tubes and to create carboxyl groups at their ends. Homogeneous multilayer films of the shortened MWCNTs were assembled on a silica glass substrate by a layer-by-layer method, based on electrostatic interaction of positively charged cationic polyelectrolyte chitosan (CS) and the negatively charged and shortened MWCNTs. The film assembly and characteristics of the CS/MWCNT multilayer films

A carbon/carbon composite scaffold for bone tissue recon-

were investigated. The process of assembly was monitored

struction was prepared. The surface morphology and trace ele-

through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, which indicated homo-

ments of the scaffold were analyzed and its biological behavior

geneous and consecutive growth. Atomic force microscopy and

was studied both in vitro and in vivo. It was found that the scaffold

scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the sur-

had a good biocompatibility, not only resulting from its high

face of the films. The films showed stable optical properties and

purity and mild cell toxicity, but also from the excellent integra-

were promising as biosensors.

tion of the bone tissue with the composite scaffold during the

[New Carbon Materials 2010;25(3):237–40.]

reconstruction. [New Carbon Materials 2010;25(3):232–6.] doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2010.06.030

doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2010.06.031