Modulation of Protein Adsorption and Cell Proliferation on Polyethylene Immobilized Graphene Oxide Reinforced HDPE Bionanocomposites

Abstract

The uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix, together with an enhancement of interfacial adhesion is indispensable toward achieving better mechanical properties in the nanocomposites. In the context to biomedical applications, the type and amount of nanoparticles can potentially influence the biocompatibility. To address these issues, we prepared high-density polyethylene (HDPE) based composites reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) by melt mixing followed by compression molding. In an attempt to tailor the dispersion and to improve the interfacial adhesion, we immobilized polyethylene (PE) onto GO sheets by nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction. A good combination of yield strength (ca. 20 MPa), elastic modulus (ca. 600 MPa), and an outstanding elongation at failure (ca. 70%) were recorded with 3 wt % polyethylene grafted graphene oxide (PE-g-GO) reinforced HDPE composites. Considering the relevance of protein adsorption as a biophysical precursor to cell adhesion, the protein adsorption isotherms of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were determined to realize three times higher equilibrium constant (Keq) for PE-g-GO-reinforced HDPE composites as compared to GO-reinforced composites. To assess the cytocompatibility, we grew osteoblast cell line (MC3T3) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on HDPE/GO and HDPE/PE-g-GO composites, in vitro. The statistically significant increase in metabolically active cell over different time periods in culture for up to 6 days in MC3T3 and 7 days for hMSCs was observed, irrespective of the substrate composition. Such observation indicated that HDPE with GO or PE-g-GO addition (up to 3 wt %) can be used as cell growth substrate. The extensive proliferation of cells with oriented growth pattern also supported the fact that tailored GO addition can support cellular functionality in vitro. Taken together, the experimental results suggest that the PE-g-GO in HDPE can effectively be utilized to enhance both mechanical and cytocompatibility properties and can further be explored for potential biomedical applications.

HDPE/UHMWPE hybrid nanocomposites with surface functionalized graphene oxide towards improved strength and cytocompatibility

“…In addition, IR bands at 1373 and 1711 cm 21 can be attributed to the stretching frequency of imide C-N and imide C¼O bonds, respectively. Taken together, the FTIR results establish that polyethylene was successfully grafted on the amine functionalized GO [6,49,50].…”

“…This shift can be attributed to the increased interlayer spacing between the GO nanosheets upon incorporation of amine groups and mPE chains [47]. In figure 1e, the absorption bands of GO at 1717, 1584, 1165 and 3337 cm 21 are attributed to the stretching bonds of C¼O (carboxylic groups), -C¼C-, the epoxy ring and the hydroxyl group, respectively [6]. The successful conjugation of the carboxyl group of GO and amino group of PEI was confirmed by the diminishing of the peak corresponding to the COOH group and the appearance of the characteristic IR bands of the amide bond at 1622 cm 21 (C¼O) and 1567 cm 21 (N-H) [48].…”

“…Clinically, it has been recognized that wear particle accumulation over time can lead to osteolysis, causing bone loss and implant loosening [5,6,[17][18][19][20]. This is one of the primary causes of failure of total hip joint replacement surgeries, leading to the requirement of revision operations [17,21].…”

Peptide‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide as a bioactive mechanically robust tissue regeneration scaffold

“…Utilizing the plethora of functional groups on GO, recently it has been covalently functionalized to enhance compatibility and impart bioactivity. This covalent functionalization has been done with traditional types of polymers, natural polymers, conductive polymers, and systems containing polypeptides . While creating interesting materials, they are typically fibers or films, not robust fully three‐dimensional (3‐D) materials.…”

Influence of Three Commercial Graphene Derivatives on the Catalytic Properties of a Lactobacillus plantarum α-l-Rhamnosidase When Used as Immobilization Matrices

“…The use of nanomaterials as carriers of enzymes and other biomolecules is the focus of many research studies, due to the exceptional characteristics of these materials, such as high mechanical strength, large surface properties (that allow for more effective interactions with a variety of biological molecules), low mass transfer resistance, and high loading capacity 2,[30][31][32][33] .…”