Growth mechanism of bioglass nanoparticles in polyacrylonitrile-based carbon nanofibers

Abstract

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospinning in combination with sol-gel method has been a common technique to produce inorganic nanoparticles containing composite carbon nanofibers (CNFs) for diverse applications. To investigate the morphology evolution and crystal transformation of inorganic components along with CNF formation, bioactive glass (BG) containing CNFs (CNF/BG) were prepared by sintering as-spun PAN/precursor composite nanofibers in a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures of 800, 1000 and 1200 C. Comprehensive characterizations were performed with TEM, SEM-EDXA and XRD. For samples sintered at 800 C, numerous BG nanoparticles were observed inside the CNFs and mainly in an amorphous state. With the sintering temperature raised to 1000 C, a number of spherical BG nanoparticles were detected on the surface of the resulting CNFs, with a crystal structure of wollastonite (b-CaSiO 3 ) polycrystals. When the samples were sintered at 1200 C, the BG nanoparticles on the surface of CNFs merged into forms with cuboid-like geometry, mainly consisting of pseudowollastonite (Ca 3 (Si 3 O 9 )) single crystals. Based on the geometry evolution and dynamic size distribution function analyses (Ostwald ripening and Smoluchowski equations), it was concluded that the growth of BG nanoparticles conformed to the ripening mechanism at 800 C and migrationcoalescence mechanism at 1200 C, while the process involved both ripening and migrationcoalescence mechanisms at 1000 C.

Cell studies of hybridized carbon nanofibers containing bioactive glass nanoparticles using bone mesenchymal stromal cells

“…1A2–C2), characteristic elements of BG component including Ca, Si and P were all detected. Thus the nanoparticles were identified BG nanoparticles and their homogeneous distribution along the fibers was a result of being expelled from the dense graphite carbon structure of CNF22. Confirmed by the EDS results (Fig.…”

“…To produce hybridized CNF containing homogeneously distributed ceramic nanoparticles, a combination of ceramic precursor sol-gel and PAN electrospinning with subsequent stabilization and carbonization has been well developed1819. Reasonably, in our previous studies, bioceramic components including calcium phosphate (CaP) and bioactive glass (BG) had been incorporated into CNF by a similar way20212223. Compared to pure CNF, it was found CaP (CNF/CaP) or BG nanoparticle loaded CNF (CNF/BG) was able to accelerate apatite deposition in simulated body fluid (SBF) and to improve cell affinity, showing strong dependence on the chemical composition, morphology and crystalline structure of ceramic nanoparticles2123.…”

Nanoporous Carbon Nanofibers Decorated with Platinum Nanoparticles for Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Sensing of H2O2

“…However, only a few studies on the non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensors based on electrospun NFs on electrodes have been reported [ 36 , 37 ]. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs), the newest product of electrospinning, have attracted increasing attention due to their superior chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Among various CNFs, nanoporous CNFs exhibit promising applications in energy conversion and storage, gas adsorption, and biomedical engineering, ascribed to their ultrahigh specific surface area and porosity [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Nanoporous structured carbon nanofiber–bioactive glass composites for skeletal tissue regeneration

“…In the absence of PMMA in the initial electrospinning solution, the resulting PCNF/BG-1/0 composites demonstrated a smooth CNF surface and intact cross-section ( Fig. 9 Although the three PCNF-BG composites displayed different fiber morphology and BG distribution, as shown in Fig. Upon addition of PMMA into the electrospinning solution, the porous structure was distinctly detected.…”

“…8 From our previous studies, 6,7,[9][10][11] it was noticed that b-TCP or BG nanoparticles in CNF composites could be either located on the fiber surface or inside fibers. The surface area would thus be one important factor to influence the dissolution rate.…”