Inspired Materials & Stem-Cell Based Tissue Engineering Laboratory (IMSTEL), El Paso, TX 79902, USA.
Department of Metallurgical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, M201 Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 27;20(19):4802. doi: 10.3390/ijms20194802.
In this study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized ultrahigh purity single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-alginate hydrogel composites. Among the parameters of importance in the formation of an alginate-based hydrogel composite with single-walled carbon nanotubes, are their varying degrees of purity, their particulate agglomeration and their dose-dependent correlation to cell viability, all of which have an impact on the resultant composite's efficiency and effectiveness towards cell-therapy. To promote their homogenous dispersion by preventing agglomeration of the SWCNT, three different surfactants-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-anionic), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-cationic), and Pluronic F108 (nonionic)-were utilized. After mixing of the SWCNT-surfactant with alginate, the mixtures were cross-linked using divalent calcium ions and characterized using Raman spectroscopy. Rheometric analysis showed an increase in complex viscosity, loss, and storage moduli of the SWCNT composite gels in comparison with pure alginate gels. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a well-distributed porous structure, and all SWCNT-gel composites depicted enhanced electrical conductivity with respect to alginate gels. To characterize their biocompatibility, cardiomyocytes were cultured atop these SWCNT-gels. Results comprehensively implied that Pluronic F108 was most efficient in preventing agglomeration of the SWCNTs in the alginate matrix, leading to a stable scaffold formation without posing any toxicity to the cells.
在这项研究中，我们设计、合成并表征了超高纯度单壁碳纳米管（SWCNT）-海藻酸钠水凝胶复合材料。在形成具有单壁碳纳米管的海藻酸钠水凝胶复合材料的重要参数中，有其不同程度的纯度、颗粒团聚和对细胞活力的剂量依赖性相关性，所有这些参数都对最终复合材料在细胞治疗方面的效率和效果产生影响。为了通过防止 SWCNT 的团聚来促进它们的均匀分散，使用了三种不同的表面活性剂-十二烷基硫酸钠（阴离子）、十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（阳离子）和泊洛沙姆 F108（非离子）。将 SWCNT-表面活性剂与海藻酸钠混合后，使用二价钙离子进行交联，并使用拉曼光谱进行表征。流变分析表明，与纯海藻酸钠凝胶相比，SWCNT 复合凝胶的复合粘度、损耗和储能模量均有所增加。扫描电子显微镜显示出存在分布均匀的多孔结构，并且所有 SWCNT-凝胶复合材料都表现出相对于海藻酸钠凝胶增强的导电性。为了表征其生物相容性，将心肌细胞培养在这些 SWCNT-凝胶上。结果全面表明，Pluronic F108 是在海藻酸钠基质中防止 SWCNT 团聚最有效的表面活性剂，可形成稳定的支架，而不会对细胞产生任何毒性。
