Abstract
The design of scaffolding from biocompatible and resistant materials such as carbon nanomaterials and biopolymers has become very important, given the high rate of injured patients. Graphene and carbon nanotubes, for example, have been used to improve the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of different materials and devices. In this work, we report the grafting of carbon nano-onions with chitosan (CS-g-CNO) through an amide-type bond. These compounds were blended with chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol composites to produce films for subdermal implantation in Wistar rats. Films with physical mixture between chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and carbon nano-onions were also prepared for comparison purposes. Film characterization was performed with Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Tensile strength, X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The degradation of films into simulated body fluid (SBF) showed losses between 14% and 16% of the initial weight after 25 days of treatment. Still, a faster degradation (weight loss and pH changes) was obtained with composites of CS-g-CNO due to a higher SBF interaction by hydrogen bonding. On the other hand, in vivo evaluation of nanocomposites during 30 days in Wistar rats, subdermal tissue demonstrated normal resorption of the materials with lower inflammation processes as compared with the physical blends of ox-CNO formulations. SBF hydrolytic results agreed with the in vivo degradation for all samples, demonstrating that with a higher ox-CNO content increased the stability of the material and decreased its degradation capacity; however, we observed greater reabsorption with the formulations including CS-g-CNO. With this research, we demonstrated the future impact of CS/PVA/CS-g-CNO nanocomposite films for biomedical applications.
Highlights
Shifting of the traditional paradigm of using synthetic polymers for the scaffold design to the uses of highly re-absorbable and compatible porous materials is happening in the last decade [1]
In the present study,only we demonstrated that carbon nano-onions grafting with chitosan improved the biocompatibility and ox-Carbon nano-onions (CNO) in the CS/PVA matrix
The successful preparation of stable and compatible nanocomposite films based on CS/PVA/CS-g-CNO was confirmed from the mechanical, chemical, and thermal tests, as well as the subdermal implantation test
Summary
Shifting of the traditional paradigm of using synthetic polymers for the scaffold design to the uses of highly re-absorbable and compatible porous materials is happening in the last decade [1]. This new model needs the correct interconnected porosity and biocompatibility design and an interconnected three-dimensional (3D) structure with excellent mechanical properties resembling native tissue [1,2]. The new properties of carbon materials such as fullerene, CNT, and graphene have significantly increased their study and applications [5,6] Due to their unique properties and high mechanical strength, they have been widely used to reinforce materials with biomedical applications and for tissue regeneration [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
