Development of electrically conductive hybrid nanofibers based on CNT‐polyurethane nanocomposite for cardiac tissue engineering. Issue 8 (6th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shokraei, Nasim; Asadpour, Shiva; Shokraei, Shabnam; Nasrollahzadeh Sabet, Mehrdad; Faridi‐Majidi, Reza; Ghanbari, Hossein
• Is Part Of: Microscopy research and technique. Volume 82:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1316
• Page End: 1325
• Publication Date: 2019-05-06
• Subjects: CNTs -- electrospinning -- electrospray -- polyurethane, cardiac tissue engineering; Electron microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; 502.825
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23282
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-910X

Abstract

Abstract: Conductive nanofibers have been considered as one of the most interesting and promising candidate scaffolds for cardiac patch applications with capability to improve cell–cell communication. Here, we successfully fabricated electroconductive nanofibrous patches by simultaneous electrospray of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on polyurethane nanofibers. A series of CNT/PU nanocomposites with different weight ratios (2:10, 3:10, and 6:10wt%) were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy, conductivity analysis, water contact angle measurements, and tensile tests were used to characterize the scaffolds. FESEM showed that CNTs were adhered on PU nanofibers and created an interconnected web‐like structures. The SEM images also revealed that the diameters of nanofibers were decreased by increasing CNTs. The electrical conductivity, tensile strength, Young's modulus, and hydrophilicity of CNT/PU nanocomposites also enhanced after adding CNTs. The scaffolds revealed suitable cytocompatibility for H9c2 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). This study indicated that simultaneous electrospinning and electrospray can be used to fabricate conductive CNT/PUnanofibers, resulting in better cytocompatibility and improved interactions between the scaffold and cardiomyoblasts. Abstract : A series of nanofibrous electro‐conductive scaffolds were fabricated based on multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyurethane for cardiac tissue engineering Simultaneous electrospray/spinning method was used to create CNT/PU nanocomposite scaffolds. The electrical conductivity of scaffolds was enhanced after simultaneous spraying of CNTs on PU nanofibers. The addition of CNTs onto PU nanofibers led to suitable cytocompatibility of scaffolds for both H9c2 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Enhanced surface properties of the scaffolds (nanofibers containing interconnected web‐like structures) resulted in better interactions between the scaffold and cultured cells.