Observation of a 3D network nano-structure of carbon nanotubes scaffold for cultivation

Abstract

Development of scaffolds consisting of micro-/nano-sized materials have attracted a great deal of attention for their potential use in tissue engineering tools. We prepared a cell culture scaffold of carbon nanotubes, which is a typical bio-inert nanomaterial, and then investigated the surface morphology and properties. A three-dimensional nano-level network structure was observed using a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. The scaffold also exhibited excellent protein absorption. In order to apply the obtained scaffold to the cultivation of osteoblast cells, the cytocompatibility was comparable to that of a conventional cell culture dish. © 2011 The Surface Science Society of Japan.