In Situ Biomimetic Synthesis of Gelatin-Carbon Nanotube-Hydroxyapatite Biocomposites as Bone Filler

Abstract

Inorganic-polymeric composites are promising materials for bone repair; the so called biomimetic approach leverages the interaction between polymer and inorganic mineral and generates the appropriate material features. In this work, gelatin multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) -hydroxyapatite (HA) biocomposites containing different concentration of gelatin were prepared by in situ biomimetic approach. The synthesized composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that, gelatin is a suitable matrix for nucleation and growth of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals and homogenous dispersion of nanotubes. Mesenchymal Stem cells (MSCs) culturing on composites and MTT assays were used to determine the in-vitro biocompatibility of the synthetized biocomposides, which showed no negative effect on the cell viability and proliferation. The experimental work has demonstrated that increasing gelatin concentration can lead to the formation of more uniform HA spherical particles and enhance the biocompatibility of the composites.

Hybrid Gelatin Hydrogels in Nanomedicine Applications

“…These hydrogels have also been employed via in situ biomimetic approaches to fabricate gelatin−carbon nanotube−hydroxyapatite composites. 106 2.6. Gelatin−Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Hydrogel.…”

“…Shin et al reinforced GelMA with CNTs to prepare hybrid hydrogels as a biocompatible, cell-responsive hydrogel platform. These hydrogels have also been employed via in situ biomimetic approaches to fabricate gelatin–carbon nanotube–hydroxyapatite composites …”