The Use of Carbon Nanotubes to Reinforce 45S5 Bioglass-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

R Touri,M Mozafari,F Moztarzadeh,Z Sadeghian,M Tahriri,D Bizari

doi:10.1155/2013/465086

Abstract

Bioglass has been used for bone-filling material in bone tissue engineering, but its lean mechanical strength limits its applications in load-bearing positions. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their high aspect ratio and excellent mechanical properties, have the potential to strengthen and toughen bioactive glass material without offsetting its bioactivity. Therefore, in this research, multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/45S5 Bioglass composite scaffolds have been successfully prepared by means of freeze casting process. 45S5 Bioglass was synthesized by the sol-gel processing method. The obtained material was characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of the scaffolds, such as compression strength and elastic modulus, were measured. Finally, compared with the scaffolds prepared by 100% 45S5 Bioglass powders, the addition of 0.25 wt.% MWCNTs increases the compressive strength and elastic modulus of 45S5 Bioglass scaffolds from 2.08 to 4.56 MPa (a 119% increase) and 111.50 to 266.59 MPa (a 139% increase), respectively.

Highlights

Tissue engineering is a concept that promotes the regeneration of host tissue by designing the scaffold that is populated with cells and signaling molecules
The sol-gel, derived and sintered, 45S5 glass ceramic materials possess the essential features of Na2O-containing bioactive materials, namely, the formation of crystalline phase Na2Ca2Si3O9 during sintering, which couples well mechanical strength with appropriate biodegradability
multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/45S5 Bioglass composite scaffolds have been successfully produced by means of the freeze-casting technique

Summary

Introduction

Tissue engineering is a concept that promotes the regeneration of host tissue by designing the scaffold that is populated with cells and signaling molecules. The scaffold is a threedimensional substrate that can act as a template for tissue regeneration. The specific properties of ideal scaffolds for bone tissue engineering can be defined as good biocompatibility, optimal porous structure with pore interconnectivity, and ability to deliver cells. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanosized cylindrical carbon tubes with very large aspect ratios. CNTs can be categorized as (i) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and (ii) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) [2]. SWCNTs are constructed of single sheets of graphite diameters ranging from 0.4 to 2 nm, while MWCNTs consist of multiple concentric graphite cylinders with increasing diameters ranging from 2 to 100 nm [3, 4]

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