Fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube layers with selected properties via electrophoretic deposition: physicochemical and biological characterization

Abstract

The aim of the study was to fabricate and extensively characterize a layer of carbon nanotubes deposited on the surface of titanium, in order to prove that, by selecting proper type of carbon nanotubes and altering different parameters of the electrophoretic deposition process, we are able to obtain products having a different influence on cells—either favouring or inhibiting their survival. In the study, a novel mixture of solvents was used to suspend as-received tubes and then applied in the electrophoretic deposition. High charging capability and high yield of the obtained deposits are promising results when considering up-scaling the process. The surface of the obtained multi-walled carbon nanotubes-coated titanium samples was characterized using SEM, AFM, XPS and Raman microspectroscopy. The carbon nanotube layer showed nanorough topography and was formed of randomly and loosely distributed tubes, and XPS study revealed that there was a significant amount of C–O bonds. These properties were found to be favourable to osteoblast survival, spreading and growth.