Carbon nanomaterials coatings – Properties and influence on nerve cells response

The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) before and after chemical functionalisation, graphene oxide (GO), and hybrid coating deposited on a titanium (Ti) surface on the nerve cell response in vitro. The physicochemical properties of the surface of the carbon nanomaterial coatings deposited on the Ti substrate using electrophoretic deposition were investigated, followed by biological tests. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to evaluate the microstructure and chemistry of the carbon nanomaterial coatings. Electrochemical characterisation of the carbon nanomaterial coatings on metal substrates was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and cathodic charge storage capacity. During in vitro analysis, all samples were placed in direct contact with human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The viability were analysed after 48 and 72 h of culture. Moreover, the cell morphology in contact with the carbon nanomaterial coatings was observed using fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the neurite outgrowth and number of pyknotic nuclei were examined using cell microphotographs.