Two synthesis routes to graphene/polycaprolactone composites are introduced and the properties of the resulting composites compared. In the first method, mixtures are produced using solution processing of polycaprolactone and well dispersed, chemically reduced graphene oxide and in the second, an esterification reaction covalently links polycaprolactone chains to free carboxyl groups on the graphene sheets. This is achieved through the use of a stable anhydrous dimethylformamide dispersion of graphene that has been highly chemically reduced resulting in mostly peripheral ester linkages. The resulting covalently linked composites exhibit far better homogeneity and as a result, both Young's modulus and tensile strength more than double and electrical conductivities increase by 14 orders of magnitude over the pristine polymer at less than 10 per cent graphene content. In vitro cytotoxicity testing of the materials showed good biocompatibility resulting in promising materials for use as conducting substrates for the electrically stimulated growth of cells. Two synthesis routes to graphene/polycaprolactone composites are introduced and the properties of the resulting composites compared. In the first method, mixtures are produced using solution processing of polycaprolactone and well dispersed, chemically reduced graphene oxide and in the second, an esterification reaction covalently links polycaprolactone chains to free carboxyl groups on the graphene sheets. This is achieved through the use of a stable anhydrous dimethylformamide dispersion of graphene that has been highly chemically reduced resulting in mostly peripheral ester linkages. The resulting covalently linked composites exhibit far better homogeneity and as a result, both Young's modulus and tensile strength more than double and electrical conductivities increase by ≈ 14 orders of magnitude over the pristine polymer at less than 10 % graphene content. In vitro cytotoxicity testing of the materials showed good biocompatibility resulting in promising materials for use as conducting substrates for the electrically stimulated growth of cells.
Composites of graphene in a chitosan-lactic acid matrix were prepared to create conductive hydrogels that are processable, exhibit tunable swelling properties and show excellent biocompatibility. The addition of graphene to the polymer matrix also resulted in significant improvements to the mechanical strength of the hydrogels, with the addition of just 3 wt% graphene resulting in tensile strengths increasing by over 200%. The composites could be easily processed into three-dimensional scaffolds with finely controlled dimensions using additive fabrication techniques and fibroblast cells demonstrate good adhesion and growth on their surfaces. These chitosan-graphene composites show great promise for use as conducting substrates for the growth of electro-responsive cells in tissue engineering. Composites of graphene in a chitosan-lactic acid matrix were prepared to create conductive hydrogels that are processable, exhibit tunable swelling properties and show excellent biocompatibility. The addition of graphene to the polymer matrix also resulted in significant improvements to the mechanical strength of the hydrogels, with the addition of just 3 wt% graphene resulting in tensile strengths increasing by over 200 %. The composites could be easily processed into threedimensional scaffolds with finely controlled dimensions using additive fabrication techniques and fibroblast cells demonstrate good adhesion and growth on their surfaces. These chitosan-graphene composites show great promise for use as conducting substrates for the growth of electro-responsive cells in tissue engineering.
The advent of implantable biomaterials has revolutionized medical treatment, allowing the development of the fields of tissue engineering and medical bionic devices (e.g., cochlea implants to restore hearing, vagus nerve stimulators to control Parkinson's disease, and cardiac pace makers). Similarly, future materials developments are likely to continue to drive development in treatment of disease and disability, or even enhancing human potential. The material requirements for implantable devices are stringent. In all cases they must be nontoxic and provide appropriate mechanical integrity for the application at hand. In the case of scaffolds for tissue regeneration, biodegradability in an appropriate time frame may be required, and for medical bionics electronic conductivity is essential. The emergence of graphene and graphene-family composites has resulted in materials and structures highly relevant to the expansion of the biomaterials inventory available for implantable medical devices. The rich chemistries available are able to ensure properties uncovered in the nanodomain are conveyed into the world of macroscopic devices. Here, the inherent properties of graphene, along with how graphene or structures containing it interface with living cells and the effect of electrical stimulation on nerves and cells, are reviewed.
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