Imaging, spectroscopy, mechanical, alignment and biocompatibility studies of electrospun medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane™ 3575A) nanofibers and composite nanofibers containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Authors

Faheem A. Sheikh, University of Texas-Pan American
Javier Macossay, University of Texas-Pan American
Travis Cantu, University of Texas-Pan American
Xujun Zhang, University of Texas-Pan American
M. Shamshi Hassan, Jeonbuk National University
M. Esther Salinas, University of Texas-Pan American
Chakavak S. Farhangi, University of Texas-Pan American
Hassan Ahmad, University of Texas-Pan American
Hern Kim, Myongji UniversityFollow
Gary L. Bowlin, University of MemphisFollow

Abstract

In the present study, we discuss the electrospinning of medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane™ 3575A) nanofibers containing multi-walled-carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs). A simple method that does not depend on additional foreign chemicals has been employed to disperse MWCNTs through high intensity sonication. Typically, a polymer solution consisting of polymer/MWCNTs has been electrospun to form nanofibers. Physiochemical aspects of prepared nanofibers were evaluated by SEM, TEM, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, confirming nanofibers containing MWCNTs. The biocompatibility and cell attachment of the produced nanofiber mats were investigated while culturing them in the presence of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The results from these tests indicated non-toxic behavior of the prepared nanofiber mats and had a significant attachment of cells towards nanofibers. The incorporation of MWCNTs into polymeric nanofibers led to an improvement in tensile stress from 11.40±0.9 to 51.25±5.5. MPa. Furthermore, complete alignment of the nanofibers resulted in an enhancement on tensile stress to 72.78±5.5. MPa. Displaying these attributes of high mechanical properties and non-toxic nature of nanofibers are recommended for an ideal candidate for future tendon and ligament grafts.

Publication Title

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

Recommended Citation

Sheikh, F., Macossay, J., Cantu, T., Zhang, X., Shamshi Hassan, M., Esther Salinas, M., Farhangi, C., Ahmad, H., Kim, H., & Bowlin, G. (2015). Imaging, spectroscopy, mechanical, alignment and biocompatibility studies of electrospun medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane™ 3575A) nanofibers and composite nanofibers containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 41, 189-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.10.012