Graphite Oxide to Graphene. Biomaterials to Bionics

Abstract

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.

Macrophages, Foreign Body Giant Cells and Their Response to Implantable Biomaterials

“…These sensors often include nano-structured carbon allotropes, such as graphene or carbon nanotubes, because of their unique and enhanced properties [220]. The age of carbon nano-materials is just beginning and is expected to have a major impact in many areas along with nano-fibers that have enormous potential as wound dressings and other clinical applications [221,222,223]. It is required in the future for in vivo studies to be conducted that investigate the interactions of these implantable sensors fabricated with the cellular components of the immune system.…”

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):GlycosAminoGlycan Aqueous Dispersions: Toward Electrically Conductive Bioactive Materials for Neural Interfaces

“…Measurement of neurite length of differentiated neuronal cell lines such as SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells is generally used to identify neuronal biocompatibility and to assess if materials support neuroregeneration. [ 54 ] Here, we differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, cultured on PEDOT:PSS, PEDOT:CS, PEDOT:HA, and PEDOT:HEP, by treating the cells for 3 d with synthetic retinoid EC23 in serum free medium, followed by a 3 d treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum-free medium. Cells were immunostained for neurofi lament (NF-200) and neurite length was measured using imageJ plugin simple neurite tracer.…”

Combined Application of Graphene‐Family Materials and Silk Fibroin in Biomedicine

“…Its electrothermal and mechanical properties are not as good as are those of graphene, but it has a larger specific surface area, and there are more oxygen‐containing functional groups on its surface. Given its special surface structure and amphipathy, it is easier to combine GO with other materials due to the formation of either covalent or non‐covalent bonds . RGO can be obtained via a reduction reaction of GO .…”

“…Given its special surface structure and amphipathy, it is easier to combine GO with other materials due to the formation of either covalent or non-covalent bonds. [27] RGO can be obtained via a reduction reaction of GO. [28] Compared with GO, RGO has higher electrothermal and mechanical properties, fewer oxygen-containing functional groups, and lower chemical activity.…”