Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
materials improve growth and functioning of bone cells. A high
surface area is useful for interactions with the cells and matrix of
physiological environments. Carbon nanotubes have low density,
high surface area and are strongest and stiffest materials available.
The tensile strength of carbon nanotubes is in the range of 11-63
GPa [64]. The mechanical properties of SWCNTs have higher values
than MWCNTs. The length-to-diameter ratio is greater than 1000.
Figure 10.6
Number of articles per year published regarding carbon
nanotubes for biomedical applications [21].
Carbon nanotubes have been introduced into composites with
natural polymers, such as collagen and chitosan, as well as synthetic
polymers or ceramics materials, improving their mechanical
properties [7, 35, 59]. The amount of nanotubes required for
mechanical properties improvement is in the range of tents of
percent. Carbon nanotubes, with and without surface treatment
ictionalization, have potential application in bone tissue applications
[52].
MWCNTs with diameters of about 100 nm can be used to mimic
neural ibers for neuronal growth. It has been shown that hippocam-
pal neurons from 0- to 2-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were able to
grow on carbon nanotubes coated with 4-hydroxynonenal [22].
Carbon nanotubes can be applied in bone tissue engineering as
nanoscale coatings for improved biological interactions [8, 10, 18].
These coatings have been formed by plasma spraying [8],
electrophoretic deposition [10], ilm casting [18], and laser surface
alloying [63]. Carbon nanotube-coated bioglass scaffolds form
hydroxyapatite layers when soaked in simulated body luid [10].
