Imaging, Spectroscopy, Mechanical, Alignment and Biocompatibility Studies of Electrospun Medical Grade Polyurethane (Carbothane™ 3575A) Nanofibers and Composite Nanofibers Containing Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Authors

Faheem A. Sheikh, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Javier Macossay-Torres, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Travis Cantu, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Xujun Zhang, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
M. Shamshi Hassan
M. Esther Salinas, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Chakavak S. Farhangi, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Hassan Ahmad, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Hern Kim
Gary L. Bowlin

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2015

Abstract

In the present study, we discuss the electrospinning of medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane™ 3575A) nanofibers containing multi-walled-carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs). A simple method that does not depend on additional foreign chemicals has been employed to disperse MWCNTs through high intensity sonication. Typically, a polymer solution consisting of polymer/MWCNTs has been electrospun to form nanofibers. Physiochemical aspects of prepared nanofibers were evaluated by SEM, TEM, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, confirming nanofibers containing MWCNTs. The biocompatibility and cell attachment of the produced nanofiber mats were investigated while culturing them in the presence of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The results from these tests indicated non-toxic behavior of the prepared nanofiber mats and had a significant attachment of cells towards nanofibers. The incorporation of MWCNTs into polymeric nanofibers led to an improvement in tensile stress from 11.40 ± 0.9 to 51.25 ± 5.5 MPa. Furthermore, complete alignment of the nanofibers resulted in an enhancement on tensile stress to 72.78 ± 5.5 MPa. Displaying these attributes of high mechanical properties and non-toxic nature of nanofibers are recommended for an ideal candidate for future tendon and ligament grafts.

Comments

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Original published version available at https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.10.012

Recommended Citation

Macossay, J., Sheikh, F. A., Cantu, T., Eubanks, T. M., Salinas, M. E., Farhangi, C. S., Ahmad, H., Hassan, M. S., Khil, M., Maffi, S. K., Kim, H., & Bowlin, G. l. (2014). Imaging, spectroscopic, mechanical and biocompatibility studies of electrospun Tecoflex® EG 80A nanofibers and composites thereof containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Applied Surface Science, 321, 205–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.09.198

First Page

189

Last Page

198

Publication Title

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

DOI

10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.10.012