Electrodeposition of hydroxyapatite/carbon nanotube composites

Full text: Nanostructured biomaterials are promising because of their similarities with nanostructured components of the extracellular matrix. Vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (VAMWCNT) hold great potential for biomedical applications due to their unique properties to produce scaffolds for cell support, such as electrical conductivity, high chemical stability, mechanical strength and facilitation for functional group incorporation. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a bioceramic that is chemically similar to the mineral component of bones and teeth. The aim of this work was to study the electrodeposition of HAp-VAMWCNT composites enabling its application as scaffolds for tissue formation and bone prostheses coatings. The composites were electrodeposited on 306 stainless steel surfaces applying a voltage of 3.4 V. The VAMWCNT concentration varied in the electrolyte solution composed of 2.5 mM of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and 1.5 mM ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering spectroscopy characterized the samples. In the present paper, it was investigated the cell morphological viability of HAP-VAMWCNT incorporated in stainless steel surfaces. Cell morphology made in samples of stainless steel surfaces was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cell viability increased with the presence of HAP-AMWCNT incorporated in stainless steel surfaces. The differences between the morphology of the crystals and Ca/P ratio are shown according to the concentration of VAMWCNT in the composites. The results indicate potential of HAP-VAMWCNT incorporated in stainless steel surfaces for biomedical applications. (author)